Working

Comments (0) By Lovell Estell III Thursday, Mar 22 2012

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Lex Theatre

6760 Lexington Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90038

Category: Theaters

Region: Hollywood

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In a period of high unemployment and assaults on unions and public service pensions, this revival of Working, a musical homage to the proletariat, couldn't be timelier (an "Occupy" banner hangs above the stage). The inspired book is adapted by Stephen Schwartz and Nina Faso from Studs Terkel's original nonfiction tome, and songs are by Craig Carnelia, Micki Grant, Mary Rodgers, Susan Birkenhead, Schwartz and James Taylor. Nancy Dobbs Owens' choreography is nicely complemented by a band — with George Derieux on guitar and John Harvey on drums, led by musical director Richard Berent on keyboard — that spins through the 17 musical selections with flawless precision. Working is about the men and women who fight the good fight every day to provide for themselves and their families, braving the elements, corporate greed run amok, changing times, asshole bosses and a public that too often shows absolutely no appreciation for them. The ironworker, teacher, waitress, cleaning woman, fireman, cashier, sex worker, office clerk, mill workers and even a housewife all share stories of struggle, triumph, joy and sadness. It's a sprawling quilt of tales from the American working class, brought colorfully to life by director August Viverito and an outstanding cast.
Fridays, Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 3 p.m. Starts: March 16. Continues through May 6, 2012