Taylor Lyric Theatre presents: Working—A Musical

The Taylor University Lyric Theatre presents Stephen Schwartz’s musical Working. Three showings are scheduled: February 5 and 6 at 8 pm, and February 7 at 2 pm. All are in Taylor University’s Butz-Carruth Recital Hall, and tickets are $10.00.

Schwartz is renowned for his musicals which include Wicked, Pippin, Working and Godspell. For Working, first performed in 1977 and updated in 2012, Schwartz drew from the verbatim texts of Studs Terkel’s famous 1974 book Working: People Talk About What They Do All Day and How They Feel About What They Do. Instead of presenting just one story, Working tells the varied stories of relatable people who are working to make a mark as well as to make a living. Through catchy tunes, dynamic dance numbers, and raw text from interviews with actual people—including a trucker, a waitress, a delivery worker, a teacher, a flight attendant, a mill worker, and others—Working provides humorous and poignant glimpses into the identity of Americans working in “everyday” jobs. Schwartz assembled an all-star team of songwriters, including James Taylor, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Micki Grant, and Craig Carnelia, to write music in a variety of styles to reflect the diverse characters.

The first full production of a musical in the Smith-Hermanson Music Center coincides with the recent launch of Taylor’s BFA Musical Theatre degree, a joint offering of the music and theatre departments. This degree allows students to take advantage of Taylor’s programs in music, theatre and dance in order to become Christian artists prepared for the professional musical theatre world.

Taylor alumnus Ryan Maloney, now based in Florida and working full-time in theatre, is scenic designer for Working, and alumna Sara Bailey is production manager and costume designer. Taylor dance faculty member Kory Browder is choreographer, Dr. Patricia Robertson is music director, and Dr. Conor Angell is stage director.

See a preview of Taylor's production of Working here. 

Tickets can be purchased in the following ways:

• Buy them at the Hodson Dining Commons during lunch or supper, beginning February 1.
• Call the TU Music Office at 765-998-5232. We can hold them for you to pick up at the show or you can stop by and pick them up before 5 pm Monday through Friday.
• Buy them at the door the night of the show.