Working is, as the name implies, a musical about working; or, more accurately, a series of real stories, set to music, about people who work. It is based on a book by Chicago writer Studs Terkel. I read Turkel’s book when it first came out and thoroughly enjoyed it. What a simple, but brilliant, concept: interview people about their jobs and compile their comments into a book about the world of work, something almost everyone can relate to.

The show consists of a series of scenes that feature a particular person in a particular occupation. (One of the prime movers behind the play was Stephen Schwartz, the guy who wrote Pippin and Godspell.) It covers the waterfront, including everyone from business executives to prostitutes (and how much different are they, really?). Some scenes consist only of spoken monologue, and others combine monologues with music, but all of them provide interesting, insightful glimpses into the lives of real people.

I first saw the musical version of the book probably 20 years ago, and I’ve loved it ever since. I think it's wonderful that the dialogue is the actual words of real people. Every time I see the play, I’m impressed by the eloquence of the “average” person. Of all the memorable lines in the play, probably the one that made the greatest impression on me is Amanda’s: “Jobs are not big enough for people.”

The play also contains some hard truths. When Mike Dillard, the ironworker, talks about the non-recognition a laborer or a housewife gets, I’m reminded that I’ve frequently been guilty of stereotyping people based on their occupations.

I play the part of Joe Zutty in the show. He’s a guy trying to make the often difficult transition from being a working stiff to a retired guy.

While I really like the poignant song I sing as Joe, there are three others in the show that never fail to generate a strong emotional response in me: Just a Housewife, Millwork, and Fathers and Sons. All three are beautifully written and each one conveys a powerful truth that always touches me deeply.

As you’ve probably gathered, I’m very excited about being in this show. The biggest challenge for me is that I joined the cast during the very last week of rehearsal, so I’m way behind the learning curve. I’ve got a lot a work to do before opening night, but I’ll be ready, because the show, as they say, must go on.

If you come to see it, I hope you enjoy the experience of watching the show as much as I will enjoy the experience of performing it for you!