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larryland · 5 years ago

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by Fred Baumgarten

At the risk of stating the extremely obvious: it’s 2019.

American goods are manufactured in Mexico, Vietnam, and China. Something called “Democratic Socialists” are making a political stir. The wealth gap continues to grow to obscene proportions.

I mention this not to start an argument, but because “Working,” the musical adaptation of Studs Terkel’s eponymous book, which is on stage at the Berkshire Theatre Group, sits uneasily with a current audience, or at least with this reviewer. Seeing BTG’s very energetic and appealing performance was enjoyable, and also felt at times like looking at a 3D movie without 3D glasses—you know, where the images don’t line up.

Terkel interviewed dozens of laborers of all kinds for his great tome to find out, as the subtitle put it, “What People Do All Day and How They Feel About What They Do.” In the musical, which was adapted by Stephen Schwartz (“Wicked,” “Pippin”) and Nina Faso (“Godspell,” “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”), the subjects, from waiters to firefighters, press agents to receptionists, present Terkel’s words in monologues and songs.

The songs and lyrics are from Schwartz, Gordon Greenberg, and numerous other luminaries including Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mary Rodgers (“Once Upon a Mattress” and daughter of Richard Rodgers) and Susan Birkenhead, and James Taylor.

Terkel’s book is from 1974; the musical premiered in 1977. Revisions and presumably additions were made in 2012, the version presented here. (Miranda was not yet born in 1977.) Other attempts to modernize may have been made in 2012 or by this production’s director, James Barry. For example, a hedge fund manager carries a smart phone and wrestles with e-mail; a South Asian-accented call center attendant is introduced alongside a receptionist, one of several pairings of characters. These updates help refresh the material and generate some needed laughs. But they cannot paper over the odd juxtapositions and anachronisms of the book.

The most awkward of these pairings, which exemplified the problems, placed a prostitute with a socialite/philanthropist. They both use their charms and looks to separate people from their money, I suppose, although one suspects Terkel sided with the hooker with a “heart of gold.”

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Like other characters, such as the fireman, factory worker, teacher, stewardess, and stonemason, they are one-dimensional cutouts, props for Terkel’s sanctification of the working class hero or vilification of the heedless capitalist. It’s a man’s world for sure, where what you build is “Something To Point To,” as the last number goes.

The thing is, we don’t have firemen in 2019; we have firefighters. We don’t lament the miserable lot of the “Just Housewife” (even if we try to substitute “stay-at-home mom”), we go to work and fight for equal rights and equal pay, or we (men, too) make a conscious and affirmative choice to raise children; we don’t work in factories (in the number “Millwork”)—Chinese workers and robots do; UPS drivers don’t publicly fantasize about women, or at least I don’t want to know about it (“Delivery”).

And I’m not sure stonemasons still see themselves as the salt of the earth, the most satisfied laborers in the world. But hey, I could be wrong.

The evening’s most disturbing moment came in a monologue by a recently fired journalist (Deven Kolluri) who imagines taking a gun to his office. If I’m director, I cut that scene out, period. It’s 2019, folks. Have I mentioned that?

There are, thankfully, numerous exceptions in which the characters are more nuanced and individual. In the rousing number “It’s An Art,” a waitress (Katie Birenboim) gleefully embraces her exhibitionist side. Joe, a retiree superbly played by Miles Wilkie, reminisces; his caretaker and a child care worker team up for a beautiful duo, “A Very Good Day.” In “Cleanin’ Women,” domestic workers with mops do a lively song and dance tinged with sadness, as one of them (the amazing Erica Dorfler) wishes to see her daughter escape the life she leads.

Other numbers, even if not quite as believable, are merely enjoyable, such as “Millwork,” which uses the motions of the workers manufacturing luggage to create an intricate dance. “Brother Trucker” is, predictably, a celebration of the open road, performed vivaciously with Tim Jones in the lead.

The top-notch cast brought its A game. Doffler, who has been on Broadway in “Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812,” among others, scored a knockout. Farah Alvin, who portrayed a teacher and the housewife, had a memorably strong and rich voice. Birenboim glittered as the waitress. Kolluri gave depth to his portrayals. After a bit of a rough start, Barry kept the show moving briskly, and the musical accompaniment led by Casey Reed was on point.

At nearly two hours, the show needed an intermission. I would humbly suggest the company consider having one. With a show that is essentially plotless, the pacing of characters, musical numbers, and monologues starts to get a bit monotonous. Breaking it up would do it good.

Working: A Musical, from the book by Studs Terkel, adapted by Stephen Schwartz and Nina Faso, runs in the Unicorn Theatre at Berkshire Theatre Group in Stockbridge, Mass., through August 24. Running time: one hour and fifty minutes.

Additional contributions by Gordon Greenberg. Songs by Craig Carnelia, Micki Grant, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mary Rodgers and Susan Birkenhead, Stephan Schwartz, and James Taylor. Directed by James Barry. Musical direction by Casey Reed. Choreography by Ashley DeLane Burger. Orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire.

Cast: Farah Alvin, Katie Birenboim, Erica Dorfler, Julie Foldesi, Tim Jones, Deven Kolluri, Denis Lambert, Jaygee Macapugay, Rob Morrison, and Miles Wilkie.

REVIEW: “Working: A Musical” at the Berkshire Theatre Group by Fred Baumgarten At the risk of stating the extremely obvious: it’s 2019. American goods are manufactured in Mexico, Vietnam, and China.

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larryland · 5 years ago

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CHATHAM, NY— The Mac-Haydn Theatre presents Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard, running June 20 through June 30.

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Tony Award-winning, awe-inspiring masterwork comes to the Mac-Haydn stage to dazzle audiences. Based on the hit 1950 film, this stunning score brings the tragic Norma Desmond to life as she stages her comeback. With the help of down-and-out screenwriter, Joe Gillis, the stage is set for romance, jealousy, mystery, and tragedy. With huge hit songs like “With One Look” and “As if We Never Said Goodbye.” Sunset Boulevard is ready for its closeup!

Broadway’s own Elizabeth Ward Land makes her Mac-Haydn debut in the iconic role of Norma Desmond. Broadway credits include Amazing Grace, Scandalous, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Memphis, City of Angels and Passion. Land has appeared in the national tours of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Les Miserables, Singin’ in the Rain and The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber. She has also appeared in productions of Southern Comfort,The Green Heart, Hello Again and Chess off-Broadway and has worked regionally with TheatreWorks, The Old Globe, Asolo Repertory, GeVa and Alpine Theatre Project. In addition to her stage work, Land has various film and television credits, including Young Adult, The Good Fight,High Maintenance, Elementary and The Blacklist. Elizabeth’s acclaimed debut album, First Harvest, is available on iTunes.

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James Zannelli makes his Mac-Haydn debut as Max Von Mayerling. James was featured on the 25th anniversary touring production of Les Miserables as the Bishop of Digne, and his regional credits include Ragtime (Tateh, Gallery Players), Les Miserables (Javert, Phoenix Theatre) and The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Frollo, White Plains PAC). James has also worked with Fulton Theatre, City Center Encores, Goodspeed Opera House, Sacramento Music Circus, Fulton Opera House, Tuacahn Amphitheatre, KS City Starlight, Arizona Theatre Company, Arizona Opera and Santa Fe Opera.

Returning to the Mac for his third season, Pat Moran takes on the role of Joe Gillis. Pat has been featured in previous Mac-Haydn productions such as Cabaret (Emcee), Chicago (Billy Flynn) and Into the Woods (Cinderella’s Prince). Pat’s New York credits include Spring Awakening(Hanschen) and Carrie: The Musical (Tommy Ross), and his regional credits include Damn Yankees (Joe Hardy), She Loves Me (Kodaly), and The Sound of Music (Rolf).

Rachel Pantazis continues her debut season at the Mac-Haydn as Betty Schaefer. Previous roles include Ulla in The Producers (Seacoast Repertory Theatre), Vicki in The Full Monty (Patrick Dorow Productions), 2018 Home for the Holidays tour (Interlakes Theatre), Missy in The Marvelous Wonderettes (Seacoast Repertory Theatre), Vi in The Buddy Holly Story (Hackmatack Playhouse), and June in Musical of Musicals the Musical (Little Church Theater).

Sunset Boulevard is directed by John Saunders, choreographed by Ashley DeLane Burger, and music directed by David Maglione, with costume design by Jimm Halliday, props by Joshua Gallagher, sound design by Corbin White and scenic design by Erin Kiernan.

For tickets and details please visit www.machaydntheatre.org or call the box office at (518) 392-9292.

Elizabeth Ward Land Stars in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Sunset Boulevard” at the Mac-Haydn Theatre CHATHAM, NY--- The Mac-Haydn Theatre presents Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard, running June 20 through June 30.

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