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"Working" |
Mason City High School will present their 33rd Annual Summer Musical, the award winning Broadway show Working, tonight Thursday, June 23rd and tomorrow Friday, June 24th at 7:30 pm in the NIACC Auditorium. Tickets are available from Hy-Vee East and West customer service in advance: $8 adults and $6 children below the age of 12. At the door tickets cost: $10 adults and $8 children below the age of 12. Seating is limited due to contractual obligations, so purchasing tickets in advance is strongly encouraged.
MCHS is honored to present the Iowa premiere of an updated version of this contemporary Broadway musical. It features two brand new songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, creator of the multiple Tony Award winning phenomenon Hamilton. Based on the Pulitzer Prize Award winning book by Studs Terkel, Working is the only completely non-fiction musical in the history of Broadway. The book was a number one bestseller, and was adapted for the stage by Stephen Schwartz. Schwartz is best known as the composer of the Broadway mega-hit shows Wicked and Godspell, as well as his Academy Award winning music for the Walt Disney film Pocahontas. Additional songs were composed by Grammy Award winner James Taylor, a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The film adaptation included an all-star cast that featured Patti LaBelle. Working was recently revised for professional productions in Chicago, Los Angeles and New York.
Working is an inspirational, original look at the landscape of the American workplace. It examines how our careers inform and give meaning to our lives. This is not a musical which tells a make believe story about imaginary characters. Everything presented on stage, including all of the dialogue and lyrics for the songs, are real words from real people who live and work around the Midwest. In describing their work they talk about more than their jobs, they tell us about a search for daily meaning as well as daily bread. The hopes, dreams, concerns and joys of the average working American are the focus of this extraordinary musical. This unique story is a look at how work shapes our identity. Working is a show about all of us: everyone has a story, everyone has a song.
The New York Daily News said, “Working is immensely moving . . . terrifically original in concept . . . it’s a glorious show that rethreads the fabric of American life and leaves you cheering.”
“Working promises to be one of our most moving productions!” says Joel Everist, Director of Choral Activities for Mason City High School. “This pop music show offers an amazing combination of award winning talent that delivers a musical not to be missed. You may not be able to get tickets in New York for the sold out sensation Hamilton by Lin-Manuel Miranda, but the only place you can go to hear two of his new songs are in our MCHS production. Miranda’s tunes Delivery and A Very Good Day have not been recorded as they were composed exclusively for this version of Working. Both children and adults should find something to enjoy in this musical, which is written from a perspective that offers a story line and character for everyone; from Billy the newsboy to Joe the retiree. The production involves more than forty-four students with exhilarating dance numbers and touching songs. Previous MCHS Summer Musical casts have included students that eventually performed on Broadway and in Hollywood films. Don’t miss our next set of future stars on stage right here in River City! The energy and excitement of Working should engage audiences of all generations. I hope members of the community can join us for a unforgettable evening that will touch your hearts and stir your imagination!”