American worker celebrated in song at Steel Beam Theatre

Steel Beam Theatre in St. Charles opens its ninth season on Friday, Sept. 11, with "Working," a musical revue saluting the American worker.

This musical was inspired by the writing of Studs Terkel, Pulitzer Prize winning author, whose radio program, "The Studs Terkel Program," aired on WFMT from 1952 to 1997, and whose book "Working" was published in 1982. He pays homage to the often overlooked workers in America including the millworker, the cashier, the cleaning lady and even the housewife.

Ty Perry of Chicago directs the professional cast of Terry A. Christianson and Luke Donia of St. Charles, Nancy Kolton of Batavia, Pascale Trouillot and David Lichty of Bolingbrook, Mercy Pattawi of Arlington Heights, Zachary Harris of DeKalb and Becky Mocarski of Chicago. Michael Fudala of Woodstock is music director and directs the live band playing the songs of James Taylor and Stephen Schwartz among others.

The show will be at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 3 p.m. Sundays, through Oct. 18, in the theater at 111 W. Main St. St. Charles. Tickets are $25, $23 for seniors and students, and $22 for groups of 10 or more. Tickets may be purchased online at SteelBeamTheatre.com or by phone at (630) 587-8521.