Studs Terkel’s ‘Working’ at Front Porch Theatricals (Sun., 5/17/26)

WORKING: A NEW MUSICAL  revised from the 2012 Stephen Schwartz musical adapted from the book by Studs Terkel.  Front Porch Theatricals.  Through May 24.

In 1974—hello, that’s 52 years ago—Studs Terkel, a longtime host of a radio interview program that aired daily from Chicago, wrote a book of oral histories he entitled Working: People Talk About What They Do All Day and How They Feel About What They Do. It was a best-seller, informing cultural as well as corporate America how people “get by” using their actual words.  It became a musical drama in 1978 when Stephen Schwartz (Wicked) brought together an eclectic arrangement of songs performed by, among many others, Patti LuPone, Joe Mantegna, Lynne Thigpen, David Patrick Kelly, and even Pittsburgh’s own, Lenora Nemetz. The musical ran for 12 previews and only 24 performances. (Such is the life of a Broadway performer, right?) Schwartz picked up the mantle again in 2012, added new stories and songs, and, now, that version has been revised and will run on Front Porch Theatrical’s New Hazlett stage. This is a people’s show and so, given Front Porch’s envious achievements of late, don’t be a “no-show.” 2 p.m. New Hazlett Theater. 6 Allegheny Square East, North Side. (C.P.O.)

Share on Social Media