<p>Years ago I read a book by Studs Terkel called Working..I was surprised to see that it is a show which my D's school is doing. I was wondering if anyone had thoughts on it ..favorite songs or characters?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>One of my favorite James Taylor songs is in that show..."Millwork"</p>
<p>I have one seen one song from that show, I think it is called "Just a Housewife" or something like that. It was a very moving, poignant song and the woman that performed it was able to show off a lot of acting. She used it for a Musical Theater competiton in my community and wound up placing in the top three.</p>
<p>I wondered if the CD was worth purchasing?</p>
<p>I personally don't like the cd very much, but I saw a really great production of it this summer and loved the songs. If you are trying to get an idea of what the songs are like for auditions and stuff, buy it because there really are some great, fairly unknown songs in it.</p>
<p>"Working" is considered unknown? This is weird...in the circles I've traveled in, it's a very well-known musical.</p>
<p>We saw Working at Emerson when we visited last April and enjoyed it very much.</p>
<p>My S's school is also doing this show this fall. (I'm assuming our kids are attending different schools! He's at Walnut Hill, a performing arts school in MA.) I wasn't familiar with Working, either, and its reviews have never been all that good now that I've researched it. But, individual songs are certainly exceptions, the concept of taking Studs Terkel's book on working peoples' lives is a good idea for a musical review, and it makes sense as a "small" musical in terms of staging. We're looking forward to the performances in a week.</p>
<p>I saw Working years ago at a professional theatre in the round here in Dallas.
I thoroughly enjoyed it at the time.</p>
<p>If I am not mistaken, one of the Arts Rec winners last year was an actor who performed a monologue from Working.</p>
<p>If it's till up, you can watch his performance on <a href="http://www.artsawards.org%5B/url%5D">www.artsawards.org</a></p>
<p>Angst, Working was done at Stagedoor this summer first session. I saw it as my D's boyfriend from home went to camp and played the featured male in it (I forget the character's name). It is a review style show and is one that can feature many different cast members so it is a good one for a youth production. There are many solos done by various people in the show. </p>
<p>Susan</p>
<p>Last year at DTASC, which is a drama competition in southern California, the musical category was Americana. There were at least two entries which were adaptations of Working. This show worked beautifully for this type of competition because there were solos for many people and yet it coalesces well into an effective ensemble. The songs were very moving.</p>
<p>I also saw Working at Emerson College and loved it. What's really cool is that it gives a bunch of kids the opportunity to be in the spot light. The whole show is made up of monologues and songs (esemble and solo numbers). Some make you laugh, some make you cry, some make you do both at once. There must have been at least 30 kids featured either in a monologue or a solo. I have to agree that "Millwork" is my favorite song from it, though "Just a Housewife" is also really good.</p>
<p>D. got the role of Babe the checker with the solo I'm Just Movin...I went ahead ahd ordered the CD, so we can become more familiar with the music.</p>
<p>I'd suggest that one not judge this musical on the basis of the CD. My student's high school did it last year and I hated the CD, but loved the musical. I think the prettiest song is definitely the Millworker's song but thoroughly enjoyed Brother Trucker, the Waitress Song, the Housewife song as well as all the ensemble pieces. This is also a great show for a high school in that lots of students get a chance to strut their stuff which can't be said for a lot of musicals.</p>
<p>Hey, just saw this thread-- I'm the housewife in Working at my HS right now. Performances are actually this weekend. Funny!
Dani</p>
<p>Hey Dani! I just read your post and want to give you "break a leg" wishes for your performances this weekend in Working. Happy for you to get that part. </p>
<p>I sent you some things you wanted a while back and I hope you received them.
Also, your friend from home and my D have been together lots at college, and having fun.</p>
<p>Good luck with college admissions too and keep us updated.
Susan</p>
<p>Hey Susan-
Thanks for the warm wishes. I did receive all that you sent me, finished my Yale app, and sent it on Tuesday. Whew. Thank you so much for your advice, you are always so gracious and so helpful but this was particularly generous and I can't thank you enough. I meant to write you a long email thanking you, but to be honest, I haven't even had time to keep up with my schoolwork because of the 2 shows I'm in and that darn Yale app. I'm finally beginning to catch my breath, and also get some perspective about this whole process. It is not worth the angst!! It will all work out. To update anyone who is interested- I am applying to Yale EA, and then Northwestern, Cornell, Williams, Vassar, Wash U, Brown, give or take a couple, and UMichigan B.F.A. and possibly NYU. I'm sorry that this is posted on the Working thread but I'm responding to Susan and I just can't keep track of all these threads anymore. Hope all is well!
Dani</p>
<p>Thanks Dani....I have high hopes for you and will be interested in how it works out. As long as you don't put your heart into just one school (when the odds are unpredicatable even for the strongest candidates) and love all your schools, you'll end up with some nice options. If you ever want to visit Brown and need a current student to talk to, to show you around, or stay with, let me know. </p>
<p>Best of luck in your theater productions and your college process!
(I have a feeling you are one who is not going to be "Just a Housewife", LOL, not that there is anything wrong with that either but just commenting!)
Susan</p>
<p>Susan- SOO FUNNY that you said that- when my director cast me she said the exact same thing. In fact, I mentioned that whole irony in my supplement essay to Yale!</p>
<p>Dani, I've got good vibes then! I imagine it was a good essay. </p>
<p>Come to think of it, I'm currently advising someone who just played this role too. </p>
<p>I'm expecting to hear great things from you. Go get 'em.
Susan</p>