Lincoln Community Theatre "pulls it off charmingly" at preview performance of "Working"

 

[July 20, 2018] 

LINCOLN 

“Working” is the second and final offering of Lincoln Community Theatre this summer. A cast of 19 sings, dances, and speaks movingly about their jobs and how they feel about them.

The show is an adaptation of a book of interviews by Studs Terkel. The musical, originally produced in 1977, was written by Stephen Schwartz and Nina Faso with music and lyrics contributed by Schwartz, James Taylor, Mary Rodgers, and others, has been revised several times, and its current version includes two songs written by “Hamilton” author, Lin-Manuel Miranda.

The musical has no single story to follow; all the characters are, essentially, speaking directly to the audience or, in a way, to themselves. There are group songs and there are solos; there are also spoken monologues interspersed. The effect is of a thematically unified revue. And the Lincoln Community Theatre pulls it off charmingly.

Some songs are supported by backup singers and dancers, and these numbers are tight and well-executed. There are 27 “scenes” in the show. Each one has a point, makes it, and then the show moves on. Much credit for the effectiveness of performance goes to the director, Dan McLaughlin, and the vocal director/ choreographer, Brittney McLaughlin.

The instrumental pit band is led by Julie Kasa and the scenery designer and tech director is Michael Higgins.

Each cast member has at least one moment to shine individually. Some of the songs, monologues, feature humor, but most are heart-felt and self-revelatory. Every audience member can choose favorite moments in the show. To name a few performers and roles: Cari Wilmert’s waitress, Kim Peterson-Quinn’s housewife, Brian Bolton’s trucker, Mike Lovett’s firefighter, Lauren Stanfield’s millworker, Rebecca Stein’s farm worker, Tom McLaughlin’s father, Karyn Blumhagen’s teacher, Mike Higgins’s mason, Derek Rademacher’s UPS deliveryman—all these are especially notable. Perhaps my favorite—Steve Schreiber’s retiree. His monologue in the second act is varied, authentic, outstanding.

Rounding out the versatile and energetic cast are Sadie Bolton, Sherylyn Bolton, Zildjian Bolton, Linda Cole, Claire Conrady, Jacqueline Keysear, Logan Keysear, and Kirby Rodgers.

“Working” runs the final two weekends of July: Friday and Saturday July 20th, 21st and 27th, 28th performances begin at 7:30pm; Sunday July 22nd and 29th performances begin at 2:00pm. The venue is the Johnston Center on the Lincoln College campus.

For tickets, go to www.lincoln communitytheatre.org,  call 217.651-4271, see a sneak peak at the ALMH Market on Saturday, July 21 at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. and purchase tickets there, or at the box office one hour before show time.

[Bill DeLoriea]

Bill DeLoriea coached speech and directed theatre for decades at Olympia High School in Stanford, IL. In his retirement, Bill continues to be a judge for the Illinois High School Association's speech and theatre programs and mentors those who follow in his footsteps. Bill graciously reviewed the Lincoln Community Theatre's final show of the 2018 summer season - "Working: A Musical" - and submits his review for publication.