WILLIAM PATERSON UNIVERSITY STAGES MUSICAL BASED ON STUDS TERKEL’S BOOK "WORKING" APRIL 11 – 16

William Paterson University will present "Working," a play adapted from Studs Terkel’s best-selling book of interviews with blue-collar workers, on April 11 to 16 at Shea Center for Performing Arts on the campus in Wayne. The play was adapted for the stage by Stephen Schwartz and Nina Faso with music by notable composers and the cast includes community actors, students and alumni.

Transforming the collection of man-in-the-workplace interviews into a musical was a novel and ambitious idea. Schwartz collected a cadre of composers to write the songs. Included in the mix are Craig Carnelia, Micki Grant, Mary Rodgers and Susan Birkenhead, and James Taylor. Terkel, Schwartz and Faso have introduced new interviews with contemporary workers and new and updated song lyrics to move the musical with the times.

"Working" celebrates the diversity and commitment of Americans in everyday occupations – steelworkers, grocery clerks, waitresses, firemen, parking attendants, and others. Songs and monologues paint a memorable portrait of the common, yet extraordinary, men and women who punch a time clock. Terkel explains it best by saying, "It was a celebration of the ‘ordinary’ people, whose daily lives are unsung . . . the anonymous many, whose lives touch ours every day without our realizing it."

Involved in the production are William Paterson University students Derek DeAngelis of Neptune, Amy Edelstein of Wayne, Samara Grossman of Caldwell, Raechel Heffers of Manahawkin, Alyssa Kaufman of Rockaway, Frank Simini III of Dover, James Yamaguchi of Absecon and University alumnus Andrew Semegram of Wyckoff. Also included in the cast are Eddie H. Cooke of Boonton, Jaclyn Hunt of Kenilworth, Jeffrey Norman of Lincoln Park, and Beth Valenti of Oakland. The production is directed by Edward Matthews, director of the performing arts unit at William Paterson University.

Show times for "Working" are 8 p.m., April 11 – 13 and 15; 3 p.m., Sunday, April 14; and 12:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 16.Tickets are $15 standard, $12 for senior citizens and students. For directions or to purchase tickets, please call the Shea Center Box Office at 973-720-2371.

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3/15/02
For Further Information, contact:

Mary Beth Zeman, Director, Public Relations 973-720-2966