All about the Musical Working
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Overview for Working the Musical
About Working the musical.
The show opened on Broadway 5/14/1978. A revised version is available for licensing through Music Theatre International. Stephen Schwartz and Nina Faso adapted the book from Studs Terkel's Working. The show "takes a look at the hopes and dreams of the American workforce."
Working features music by Stephen Schwartz, Micki Grant, Craig Carnelia, James Taylor, and Mary Rodgers (who was the composer for Once Upon a Mattress
)
Working lyrics for the show are by Stephen Schwartz; Micki Grant; Craig Carnelia; James Taylor; Susan Birkenhead; Matt landers and Graciela Daniele. See details below.
Summary of the musical Working:
Based on the best-selling book of interviews with American workers by Studs Terkel, Working explores the American workday from the Monday morning blues to the second shift blahs using the original words of some uncommon common men and women. Twenty-six workers, including a parking lot attendant, corporate executive, newsboy, schoolteacher, gas man, housewife, fireman, waitress, millworker, sailor, etc., sing and talk about their jobs, defining not only their daily round, but their hopes and aspirations as well. Working: People Talk About What They Do All Day and How They Feel About What They Do
Licensing agent for the musical: MTIshows.com [new browser window] Logo and description are copyrighted by Music Theatre International. All rights reserved.
Who Wrote What? Songwriters for Working:
- Stephen Schwartz: the opening ("All the Livelong Day"), "It's an Art," "Fathers and Sons," and the newsboy's song, which has been replaced by "I'm Just Movin'";
- Micki Grant: "If I Could've Been," "Lovin' Al," and "Cleaning Women";
- Craig Carnelia: "Just a Housewife," "The Mason," "Joe," and "Something to Point To";
- James Taylor: "Brother Trucker," "Millwork," "Traffic Jam," and the music for "Un Mejor Dia Vendra" - Matt Landers and Graciella Danielle wrote lyrics for this song.
- Susan Birkinhead and Mary Rodgers: the teacher's song, "Nobody Tells Me How"
Special productions
In the spring of 2011, Broadway in Chicago is presenting a professional production of the updated version of Working, featuring additional songs by Tony-winning In the Heights creator Lin-Manuel Miranda. The revised incarnation debuted at San Diego's Old Globe Theatre in March 2009. It will be part of the first year of shows at the new "Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place" previously known as Drury Lane Water Tower.
Working the Musical - From Page to Stage
ESSENTIAL READING FOR DIRECTORS AND ACTORS WORKING ON WORKING
Autographed copies signed by composer Stephen Schwartz and author Carol de Giere are available.
In Defying Gravity: The Creative Career of Stephen Schwartz, from Godspell to Wicked, author Carol de Giere includes a behind-the-scenes account of the way Stephen Schwartz and his collaborators developed Working as a stage musical. In interviews for the book, Schwartz revealed why he chose additional songwriter to create the score and what his rationale was for developing a non-fiction musical.
The story of Working in Defying Gravity also includes comments from co-adaptor Nina Faso, producer Irwin Meyer, cast members Lynne Thigpen, Robin Lamont, Matt Landers, David Patrick Kelly, and songwriters Micki Grant, Craig Carnelia, Stephen Schwartz, and Susan Birkenhead. Readers gain insights about individual songs in relationship to the musical as a whole.
Working the Musical: DVD of the Television version
- Working
- Working play: Broadway Archives created a DVD from the tape from American Playhouse, WNET and KCET, 1982 Studs Terkel's Working (Broadway Theatre Archive)
Also available as a downloadable rental or purchase: Downloadable version of Working the Musical
Stephen Schwartz directed this PBS production of his show Working. Watch for James Taylor singing his trucking song and sharing his great smile. Studs Terkel introduces the show. You'll see Schwartz's wife Carole in the role of supermarket checker. There are many noteworthy performers and performances. Read a review of the production
Working the Musical Recordings 
Working Cast Album
- Re-release of original cast album with lots of special features. Buy Working Original 1978 Broadway Cast - [new browser window]
Note that this re-release version includes additional bonus tracks: 16. I'm Just Movin'
17. Hots Michael at the Piano (previously unreleased demo recording performed by the composer Craig Carnelia)
18. The Mason (previously unreleased demo recording performed by the composer Craig Carnelia)
19. Joe (Carnelia) (previously unreleased demo recording performed by the composer Craig Carnelia)
20. Lovin' Al (previously unreleased demo recording performed by the composer Micki Grant)
21. Fathers & Sons (performed by the composer Stephen Schwartz)
To order from Europe:
Working - Original Broadway Cast (opens new browser window to Dress Circle, London, UK)
James Taylor recorded his songs from Working on several of his albums and videos. Visit the complete James Taylor/Schwartz page - Includes quotes and links.
Craig Carnelia songs are included on various albums.
Don't miss Stephen Schwartz singing his own touching rendition of "Fathers and Sons" on The Stephen Schwartz Album
Read about it: Working Cast Album: Article by Bruce Kimmel: Working on WORKING: The Journey towards a Long-awaited CD
- Working
- Revised and Updated, L.A. Theatre Works, 1999
Source for ordering WorkingCD from the LA Theatre Works production with Scott Schwartz as director.
Website: http://www.latw.org Phone: 800-708-8863
- Includes Stephen Schwartz songs: All the Livelong Day, It's An Art, Fathers and Sons. (Stephen also wrote Newsboy and the new song I'm Just Movin'.)
Working Sheet Music & Lyrics
For some lyrics from Working show - see Working lyrics
"Fathers
and Sons" - instant digital download
From http://www.sheetmusicplus.com
Working / Vocal Selections
- Warner Bros. Publications (Sheet Music/Song Books) Titles include: All the Livelong
Day * Brother Trucker * Cleanin' Women * Fathers and Sons * If I Could've Been
* It's an Art * Joe * Just a Housewife * Lovin' All * The Mason * Millwork * Neat
to Be a Newsboy * Something to Point to, and others.
DETAILS WITH KEYS: 15 songs including All the Livelong Day(C), Lovin' Al (B flat), The Mason(F),
Neat To Be A Newsboy(A min/G), Nobody Tells Me How(E), Un Mejor Dia Vendra(F),
Brother Trucker(B), Fathers and Sons(F sharp min), If I Could've Been (A), It's
An Art(A), Joe (D), Just a Housewife (D), Millwork(A), Cleanin' Women (D flat/D),
and Something to Point to (B flat). 
For sheet music for all of Schwartz's musicals except Wicked check out the Stephen Schwartz songbook.
Includes 292 pages of songs as Stephen plays them.
Selections from Working show in The Stephen Schwartz Songbook: includes a revised lyric for "It's an Art" plus "Fathers and Sons"
"Just a Housewife" and "The Mason" are included in the Craig Carnelia Songbook
Resources, Features, Reviews for the musical Working
A related item to Working: Studs Terkel's Working: A Teaching Guide
Studs Terkel - Bio, books, audio book
For a Podcast discussion by Stephen Schwartz about " Fathers and Sons" see The Schwartz Scene "Fathers and Sons"
Working Reworked March 2009: Read about the Old Globe Theatre production of Working, spring 2009
comparison chart between characters in the musical and Terkel book: Working - Cross Reference between Working the Musical and Working by Studs Terkel
Working CD: Working on WORKING: The Journey towards a Long-awaited CD, By Bruce Kimmel | Review by Robert Levy of the 2001 release of the cast album
Review of the Video
Working Review
Production photos and review of a Revised version of WORKING
American Theater Company Chicago 2000
Working the musical Video Clip of professionals singing pieces from a concert version Zipper Theatre Actors fund performance 2007
Theatremania.org
maintains an online photo collection from a recent production of Workingin
New Haven.
http://www.ibdb.com/ - for Working - Details on the Broadway cast, creatives, songs, crew, etc.
See Tonyaward.com for Tony info on other shows.
Nominations for Working were:
1978 Tony Award® Best Book of a Musical
Book adapted by Stephen Schwartz [nominee]
1978 Tony Award® Best Original Score
Lyrics by Craig Carnelia, Micki Grant, Susan Birkenhead, Stephen Schwartz, James Taylor; Music by Craig Carnelia, Micki Grant, Mary Rodgers, Stephen Schwartz, James Taylor [nominee]
1978 Tony Award® Best Featured Actor in a Musical
Steven Boockvor [nominee]
Rex Everhart [nominee]
1978 Tony Award® Best Scenic Design
Scenic Design by David Mitchell [nominee]
1978 Tony Award® Best Lighting Design
Lighting Design by Ken Billington [nominee]
For
singers: Visit our sister site
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health information, vocal coach links, and more. Everything for singers who love
musicals
Discuss "Working" -- Forum and Show Schedule
NEWS: Working Reworked March 2009: Read about the Old Globe Theatre production of Working, spring 2009
Working Show Schedule
As you may know, the DVD of Working was produced in more of a TV documentary style than a stage musical, and therefore is not a suitable model for stage productions. If you want to see how Working works on stage, you'll need to travel to a live production. Go to MTIshows.com Working page and look for the blue tab that says "Upcoming." Click there for a list of licensed productions.
Forum
See www.stephenschwartz.com forum for general discussion of Stephen Schwartz's work
Licensing Working for performance
Music Theatre International's detailed description and ordering information for the production - search on Working at http://www.mtishows.com
Performers: see a comparison chart between characters in the musical and Terkel book: Working - Cross Reference between Working the Musical and Working by Studs Terkel
Working Cast List
MIKE DILLARD Ironworker
Baritone
AL CALINDA Parking Lot Attendant
Tenor - High B flat
AMANDA McKENNY Project Manager
REX WINSHIP Corporate Executive
ROSE HOFFMAN School Teacher
Mezzo-Soprano
BABE SECOLI Supermarket Checker
Contemporary Belt/Mix
ROBERTO NUNEZ Boxboy and Migrant Worker.
Baritone/Tenor
CONRAD SWIBEL UPS delivery man
KATE RUSHTON Housewife
Contemporary Belt/Mix
ROBERTA VICTOR Hooker
CANDY COTTINGHAM Political Fundraiser
GRACE CLEMENTS Millworker
Pop Alto
ANTHONY COELHO Stone Mason
Tenor
SAM
FRANK DECKER & DAVE Truckers
Rock Baritone/Tenor
HEATHER LAMB Telephone Operator
SHARON ATKINS Receptionist
ENID DuBOIS Telephone Solicitor
DELORES DANTE Waitress
Contemporary Belt
JOE ZUTTY Retiree, Older Character
Baritone
TOM PATRICK Fireman
MAGGIE HOLMES Cleaning Woman
Contemporary Pop/Belt
RALPH WERNER Salesman
CHARLIE BLOSSOM Ex-copy boy
Working the musical
About Composer - Lyricist Stephen Schwartz.
Copyright © 2000–2010 by Carol de Giere. All rights reserved.
MusicalSchwartz.com a Stephen Schwartz Fan web site. This independent web site is devoted to the creative career of composer Stephen Schwartz.You are currently on the Working the Musical - by Stephen Schwartz and Others page.
This site provides information and background on his songs, music and lyrics, and his theatre musicals (plays or shows) and movie musicals including his popular Wicked, Godspell, Pippin, The Baker's Wife, The Prince of Egypt; Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Enchanted (Disney musicals); The Magic Show, Children of Eden, Working, Rags and others.
It also provides service information and product information related to these projects with links to Broadway Wicked New York City, Wicked San Francisco, Wicked London and Wicked tickets sources, other ticketing information for Wicked the Musical on two national tours in Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Boston, Massachusetts (and in upcoming cities Madison, Wisconsin; and Memphis, Tennessee; and Toronto, Ontario,Canada; and Little Rock, Arkansas); for concerts and other personal appearances by Stephen Schwartz; history of Stephen Schwartz's music; sources for sheet music including Wicked sheet music, musical related CDs and cast albums, DVDs, info for theater performers, and news, including the quarterly newsletter The Schwartz Scene and the Schwartz Scene Blog. For more information about this site, visit the About this Site Page.
