Are we defined by our work? What does our occupation have to say about us? How do we feel about ourselves in relation to our work?

What is Work?

Are we defined by our work? What does our occupation have to say about us? How do we feel about ourselves in relation to our work? Does our work give meaning to our lives? How important is our work to us? These questions are asked and often answered by the characters in Working, The Musical, based on the 1974 non-fiction oral history by Studs Terkel, Working: People Talk About What They Do All Day and How They Feel About What They Do. He interviewed over 100 people for the book. The musical is a series of monologues and songs that highlight some of the jobs, from a McDonald’s delivery boy to a Gordon Gekko-Greed Is Good-like corporate executive.

In the O’Connell & Company production four women and three men play various workers, accompanied on keyboards by the very talented Donald Jenczka.

Directed by Neal Radice, the production is engaging and moves swiftly with almost no time between monologues and songs. Each performer is well-suited to their various roles, and each is excellent. Mr. Radice also designed the set and lights. The set consists of two metal scaffolds on either side of the stage, with various ladders and equipment scattered around upstage, many against a brick wall, evoking various work environments. Desks and appear and disappear quickly. Todd Warfield designed costumes very much in keeping with each occupation.

The musical has been updated to include the past couple years of the Pandemic, so it feels very contemporary. Songs are by various writers, including Lin-Manuel Miranda and James Taylor. The jobs are too numerous to mention, so here are just a few.

The Workers

Anne DeFazio plays an aging, angry elementary school teacher of 40+ years who is overwhelmed by modern children and laments that they want her to keep up with the times, but “nobody tells me how.” She also has a rip-roaring time as a waitress in It’s an Art.

Jared Eichel in his first WNY appearance plays several fresh-faced young men starting out in the workforce with great enthusiasm. He plays a teenage delivery boy who is very excited to get out of McDonald’s in the song, Delivery, and a UPS worker who loves to ogle the ladies in a later monologue.

Michael Galante plays several roles as an older blue-collar worker, as well as a retired one. His gruff exterior as an ironworker belies the intelligence that shines through as he talks about his family and work.  His monologue as Joe, the retiree, brings a tear to the eye.

Timiyah Love’s monologue as a project manager who has no loyalty to any company speaks to the changes in attitudes about work. She nails it as a third-generation cleaning lady and has Jennifer Hudson-like-chops in the Act One closing song, If I Could Have Been, sung with the company.

Kate Mulberry has a beautiful voice that soars to the rafters.  Just a Housewife is a bittersweet commentary on how stay-at-home-moms are perceived. She and Emily Yancey play well off each other as an aide in a nursing home and a nanny in A Very Good Day.

Ms. Yancey is a hoot as a young woman who wants to be a journalist, so takes a job at a newspaper. Her approach to customer service is unique and a strong indication that she has serious anger issues. She’s also turns it up as a headhunter drinking wine and bemoaning the lack of drive people seeking jobs these days have.

John Profeta plays the above-mentioned corporate executive with just the right amount of sleazy arrogance. His monologue as a fired anti-vaxxer employee speaks clearly to the divide in our country. He is particularly affecting in his monologue about a fireman who was formerly a policeman.

An Enjoyable Evening 

There is much more in a tight two hours including intermission. This is a very enjoyable evening of theater.