CLC presents 'Working' as its summer musical
"Working," a musical based on the 1974 Pulitzer Prize-winning book by the late Studs Terkel of Chicago, is the College of Lake County summer musical.
The show, produced by the CLC departments of theater, music and dance, will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 17, 18, 24 and 25, and Thursday, July 23; and 2 p.m. Sundays, July 19 and 26, in the Studio Theatre of the James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts on the CLC Grayslake campus.
"Working" takes a 24-hour look into the lives of 28 ordinary working people. Adapted from Terkel's critically acclaimed oral history, this updated "Working" paints a vivid portrait of the men and women the world so often takes for granted, such as the mill worker, tech support worker, waitress, fireman, housewife, delivery driver and schoolteacher.
In their own words, these individuals reveal the joys, heartaches, hopes and dreams of the average working American.
The show was first staged at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago December 1977 through February 1978. The book was adapted by Stephen Schwartz ("Wicked," "Godspell" and "Pippin") and Nina Faso, with additional contributions by Gordon Greenberg. The songs were written by Craig Carnelia, Micki Grant, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mary Rodgers and Susan Birkenhead.
The revised version from 2000 includes updated lyrics and two new songs by Schwartz and James Taylor and better reflects the modern workforce, according to director and designer Thomas B. Mitchell.
Terkel's interviews for the book "Working" delved into Americans' feelings about their jobs, which not only allow them to make money to live but also provide them an identity.
"The musical's characters display how employment gives people purpose to their lives, how we as humans see ourselves through work and how we move through life and become who we are by assuming the identity our careers provide," Mitchell said.
"It also shows how people get through difficult days by using humor or just grinning and bearing it. Because the show presents everyday people working in a range of occupations, from blue collar to white collar, the audience will be able to relate to it much easier than most musicals."
The songs from "Working" cover a range of American musical styles, including gospel, jazz, soft rock, bluegrass and musical theater. A diverse cast, in both age and ethnic background, helps provide a realistic portrayal of a large Midwestern city's workforce, Mitchell said.
The musical's other directors include Jean Hersey (vocal), Valerie Alpert (choreography) and Paul Hefner (orchestra). Lighting designer is Jeff Weiss, sound designer is Matthew R. Godlewski and stage manager is Savanna Macri.
Mitchell and Hersey first worked on the show in the 1980s at Prospect High School in Mount Prospect, where he designed the set and she was part of the cast.
"Jean and I have collaborated on many CLC summer musicals since then and thought 'Working' would be an ideal show to bring to College of Lake County audiences," Mitchell said.
The cast includes Hannah Shepherd and Jazmine Tamayo of Antioch; Cara Peterson of Evanston; North Homeward of Gurnee; Abbi Adjei-Perberg of Hainesville; Steven Schur of Lake Bluff; Caroline Passalino and Erica Renee Werner of Lake Forest; Audrey Leigh Johnston of Libertyville; Romeo L. Sobrepena of Lindenhurst; Mike Dvorak of Long Grove; Sharone Beckless, Colin Kovarik, Marita Kovarik and Jennie Kruse of Mundelein; Kyle Perry of Round Lake; Moises Diaz and Danny Mendoza of Waukegan; and Liz Hernandez and Elliott Weiss of Zion.
Tickets are $15 for general admission or $12 for CLC students and staff, seniors, teens and JLC subscribers, plus a $2 JLC facility fee. Buy one ticket get one free July 17 and 23 (offer not available online).
For information, call (847) 543-2300 or visit www.clcillinois.edu/tickets. The Box Office is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 60 minutes prior to each performance at 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more in advance.
For information, call (847) 543-2431 or email JLCgroupsales@clcillinois.edu.
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