Concert Version of “Working, A Musical” to be Staged on February 9

--The event is part of a year-long project funded by the Mellon Foundation in celebration of American artist Ben Jones '63

A concert version of the musical Working, based on Studs Terkel's best-selling book of interviews, Working: People Talk About What They Do All Day, will be staged at William Paterson University in Wayne on Friday, February 9 at 7:30 p.m. in Shea Center on campus.

The performance, complete with costumes and live orchestra, is presented by the William Paterson Department of Music in partnership with the New Jersey City University (NJCU) Department of Music, Dance and Theater as part of a year-long collaboration between the two institutions supported by the Mellon Foundation in celebration of the American artist Ben Jones, a 1963 graduate of William Paterson and NJCU professor emeritus of art.

Working, A Musical, paints a vivid portrait of the workers that the world so often takes for granted: the schoolteacher, the delivery man, the waitress, the mason, and the stay-at-home parent, just to name a few. This unique localized production will also venture into our own communities, sharing the stories of those passionate individuals with whom we build a neighborhood. Real-life interviews supply a lyrical narrative through song and dialogue, shining light on the lives of those who create community.

Nominated for six Tony Awards, this modern revision features songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Stephen Schwartz, Craig Carnelia, James Taylor, Micki Grant, and more. This production, which features students from William Paterson and NJCU, is directed by Marc G. Dalio, coordinator of musical theatre studies at NJCU. Additional performances are scheduled at NJCU from February 2 to 11, 2024.

Tickets for the production at $25, and $10 for senior citizens and William Paterson faculty, staff, and students. All tickets are an additional $5 on the day of the show. For additional information or to purchase tickets, please contact William Paterson University’s Shea Center Box Office at boxoffice@wpunj.edu, call 973.720.2371 or visit www.wp-presents.org.

01/29/24