Want to go?
WHAT: “Working”
WHEN: 8 p.m. September 14, 15, 21, 22 & 2 p.m. matinees September 16, 23
WHERE: Fremont Community Theatre, 1551 Dickinson Street, Fremont;
COST: Adults - $12.00, Seniors and students - $10.00
INFO: www.fremontcommunitytheatre.org
Reservations line: 419-332-0695
The majority of people know what working is so there is no doubt that audiences will be able to understand, identify with, and become totally submersed seeing it in its musical version at Fremont Community Theatre.
Based on the best-selling book “Working” by Studs Terkel, this musical is a group of stories taken from a series of interviews Terkel had with common, ordinary American people about their work.
“It’s taken almost word for word from the book,” says director Tim Bolton.
Adapted mostly by Stephen Schwartz back in the 1970s there are now two versions of “Working:” the original and one that was updated recently cutting out professions that are no longer relevant and adding new ones that weren’t around in the 70s.
Bolton states, “We’re rating it PG-13 this time.” Apparently, Fremont had done the original version of this musical a few decades ago but it had either slipped their minds or the newer version is a little racier.
“We’re putting in programs, etc. something like ‘contains adult language and situations,’” says Bolton. It won’t be anything too out of line, nothing children haven’t heard on the streets or in school, but Bolton says they’re not trying to offend anyone.
What is rather humorous is that Bolton says there is usually more strong language when a character is speaking about their job. Many gainfully employed adults will probably be able to commiserate.
“Working” toggles back and forth between highs and lows, and light and dark stories. The fireman, whom Bolton is portraying as well as working as director, has a dark story followed by cleaning ladies, who are bit contemplative, but happier with a song to sing.
There are approximately 16 cast members ranging in age from 16 to 73, including Bolton who hadn’t planned on directing, acting and singing all in the same show.
“It’s a difficult time of the year to get actors for community theatre,” says Bolton. He was able to snag one teen at least who looks young enough to give the monologue that begins ‘I’ll be 20 years old in a few months.’
