"Working: A Musical" Opens ACT Season

A unique musical based on Studs Terkel's popular book "Working" will open ACT's 2010-11 production season at the Historic Mishler Theatre. Sponsored by Altoona First Savings Bank, performances begin at 8 p.m. September 23, 24 & 25, plus a 2 p.m. matinee Sunday, September 26.

ACT Operations Manager Steven C. Helsel is directing "Working: a Musical." In addition to overseeing ACT's administrative end for the past 23 years, he has previously directed such shows as "Pippin." "Cabaret," "Jekyll & Hyde," "Beauty & the Beast" and "Miracle on 34th Street" for the troupe. Julie Hanlon, remembered for her portrayal as Maria in ACT's "The Sound of Music," is Music Director.

In 1974, American writer-historian-broadcaster Studs Terkel conducted more than 100 interviews with common, everyday working men and women about their jobs, lives and dreams then published their remarks verbatim under the title "Working: People Talk About What They Do and How They Feel About What They Do." It won instant acclaim and shortly thereafter, young Broadway composer Stephen Schwartz -- who shot to recognition creating "Godspell" and "Pippin" -- decided to transfer "Working" to the stage, selecting 26 of the interviewees and, taking a cue from Terkel, incorporating their comments directly into a series of monologues and songs.

The musical opened on Broadway in May 1978 and received several Tony Award nominations (including Best Book and Best Musical Score) but, being a non-traditional, ensemble musical without any star power, had trouble drawing in audiences and lasted less than a month. However, over the three decades since, "Working" has become very popular and regularly produced at professional regional and amateur community theatres whose guaranteed subscription audiences seem to identify with the characters and find their life-stories touching, amusing and thoroughly compelling.

Cast in ACT's "Working" ensemble are a combination of newcomers to the Mishler stage, a few performers returning after a bit of a hiatus and several who have appeared regularly in recent seasons. Making their ACT debuts are Paul Gordon of Claysburg, Kathy Katcher of Altoona, Michael Meketa of Conemaugh and Susan Bogart of State College. Returning to ACT are Cliff Drury of Altoona, last seen as the grandfather in "Meet Me in St. Louis," Alice Mulhollan of Tyrone from "Pump Boys and Dinettes" and "Smokey Joe's Cafe," Tyne (Replogle) Palazzi from "The Robber Bridegroom" and Melissa Coles of Dubois, who was one of the street urchins in "Little Shop of Horrors." Rounding out the cast are Molly Slep of Altoona from the nun's chorus in "The Sound of Music," Erin Ruggles of East Freedom from last year's "Miracle on 34th Street" and Tom Liszka, Mark Perehinec, Doug Rosenberry, Gina Volpe and Rich Volpe, all of Altoona, who all most recently were seen in May's production of "The Producers."

Tickets for "Working: A Musical" are now on sale at the Mishler Theatre Box Office from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays. All seats are reserved, at $18 for Adults and $15 for Students (plus box office fees). Call (814) 944-9434. Tickets are also available online 24-hours-day by visiting ACT's website, www.altoonacommunitytheatre.com.

Because "Working" celebrates the American workforce, ACT is offering a special promotional discount for anyone who happens to be a member of any type of professional union. Members can receive $3.00 off each ticket purchased for the show by mentioning their affiliation when ordering seats and presenting their Union Card as identification at the box office when picking up their tickets. This special offer is available only through the box office, not online.

Following "Working," ACT's 2010-2011 season will continue November 18 to 21 with "Broadway Bound," Neil Simon's follow-up to "Brighton Beach Memoirs" which ACT presented last year. Tennessee Williams' landmark drama "A Streetcar Named Desire" will take the stage February 17 to 20, and the recent Broadway hit "The Drowsy Chaperone," a bubbly spoof of 1920s musicals, will close the ACT's season April 28 to May 1.

Subscriptions to ACT's season are still available, offering guaranteed seats and a substantial savings off the cost of individual tickets at just $52 (just $13 a show) for all four productions. For subscription information, call the ACT office at (814) 943-4357.