‘Working’ offers standout performances
A Daily Mining Gazette Review
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CALUMET -- Grinding a 40-hour work week for 50 years of your life is exhausting. Every day is filled with the limerence of wishing your job simply did not suck. In reality, nobody likes their job and everyone wishes they were someone else, somewhere else. This is the premise of the Calumet Player's adaptation of "Working," a musical all about different peoples' jobs and the struggles people go through.
Directed by Suomi College alumni Soren Schmidt, the musical odyssey works through menial jobs within short vignettes. There is no discernible plot or main cast of characters. However, peering into the lives of disgruntled salary, hourly and contract workers -- "Working" is a fun Keweenaw-specific adaptation which pokes fun at the monotony of contributing to society.
The opening number, "Neat To Be A Newsboy," was sung by guest musician Maddie Yunker. It set the stage for what was to come, a tongue-and-cheek, playful song which brings the audience into the world of "Working."
The first few vignettes take us through the lives of parking attendant Al Kalinda (Schmidt), stone mason Anthony Coelho (Nayt Boyt) and the hilariously greedy hedge fund manager, Rex Winship (expertly portrayed by Eric Byykkonen.)
One of the first standouts, in terms of both production and performance, was MTU and Finlandia theatre alumna Maija Stadius, who plays rose-tinted schoolteacher, Rose Hoffman. Stadius sang "Nobody Tells Me How," which took a look at teaching back then versus 40-years down the road in the present. The blocking in "Nobody" was particularly well done. Six or so students, a younger Rose Hoffman and Stadius all shared the space and successfully and added to the heartfelt tune.
Another standout performance was Evan Schoff, who played a UPS delivery person in a laugh-out-loud monologue, as well as the mesmerizingly boisterous interstate trucker, Frank Decker. The latter performance included the song, "Brother Trucker," another comedic performance, with backup dancers who sang as well.
Soloist, Rylee Foreman, gave an emphatic performance of "If I Could Have Been" right before the end of the first act. Foreman's character, a prostitute by the name of Roberta Victor, sang about what she could have been and what she wanted to be. If the theme of the first act was hating your job, this number was at the epicenter of it.
The second act was a little more lighthearted than the first, with the central theme around the dignity of peoples' jobs. Schmidt's "Fathers and Sons" as well as Emily Anthony's "Cleaning Ladies" demonstrate this with ease.
Aster Davis gave, arguably, the most electrifying performance of the second act. She played Delores Dante, an impassioned waitress who claims what she does takes the skill and finesse of a true artist. "It's an Art" showcased Davis's dancing skills, even doing the splits around halfway through the number.
Davis donned a Suomi Restaurant shirt, usually a costume inclusion which would only be a necessity. However, one of the best parts about Calumet Players's adaptation was the local feel. An aspiring student entrepreneur goes to Michigan Tech for business, several characters reference being born, raised and work in Houghton. The Daily Mining Gazette is even referenced by the ex-newsroom assistant character and is read by a retiree. Moments and details like those make community theater so special. It also gave the play a bit more credibility in its theming. "Working" can truly take place anywhere.
The final number, "Something to Point To," featured the entire cast and tied the two acts together nicely. In the end, everyone wants to be something, somewhere. Even if you're at a job you hate, someone is wishing they were doing your job, and you theirs. The fictionalized version of the Keweenaw in "Working" was well-put together thematically. A smart adaptation for a play which everyone can relate to.
Under the musical direction of Diane Augustyn instrumentalists blended smooth jazzy showtunes with breakneck guitar and bass work. It was a nice companion to the fast-paced freneticism of “Working.” Overall, the musical was a great effort by all involved. With some standout moments highlighting the hard work the cast put in. “Working” gets a high recommendation.
“Working” will be performed again Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. with a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. General admission tickets are $20 for Adults and $18 for students.
Tickets may be purchased by calling or visiting the Calumet Theatre Box Office: Mon-Fri (10 a.m.- 5 p.m.) Sat & Sun (noon – 4 p.m.) call 906.337.2610 or buy Online by clicking calumettheatre.com