Encore Michigan

Studs Terkel’s ‘Working’ at Meadow Brook starting Feb. 12

Preview February 01, 2020 Encore Staff

ROCHESTER—Working: A Musical will run at Meadow Brook Theatre February 12 through March 8.

From the book by Studs Terkel, written by Stephen Schwartz and Nina Faso, with additional contributions by Gordon Greenberg, Working includes songs by Craig Carnelia, Micki Grant, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mary Rodgers and Susan Birkenhead, Stephen Schwartz, and James Taylor. Orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire.

Based on Studs Terkel’s best-selling book of interviews with American workers, the musical Working paints a vivid portrait of the men and women that the world so often takes for granted: the schoolteacher, the phone operator, the waitress, the mill-worker, the mason and the housewife, just to name a few. Nominated for six Tony Awards, this classic has been updated for a modern age.

Portraying the various real-life people that Terkel interviewed are a variety of Meadow Brook favorites and newcomers, including Katie Akers, Tyler Bolda, Cory Cunningham, Emily Hadick, Kim Rachelle Harris, Gregory Rodriguez, Yemie Sonuga and Ron Williams. Working is directed by Travis W. Walter with choreography by Debbie Williams. Terry W. Carpenter is the stage manager with scenic design by Brian Kessler, costume design by Liz Goodall, lighting design by Scott Ross and sound design by Mike Duncan.

The band is lead by musical director Michael Rice, who also plays the keyboard. Sig Hepler plays guitar with Andrew Toering on bass and Brian Buckmaster on percussion.

“There’s a lot of great music in Working written by some familiar people,” said MBT Artistic Director, Travis Walter. “It all combines to tell the stories of the people who keep America running every day.”

Tickets range from $36 to $46 and are available by calling the Meadow Brook Theatre box office at 248-377-3300 or going online at www.ticketmaster.com. Student discounts are available at the box office. Groups of eight or more should call 248-370-3316 for group pricing.

Week of 9/25/2023

Current Shows

  • All
  • mon
  • tue
  • wed
  • thu
  • fri
  • sat
  • sun