Eastern University Theatre Department Presents Working, A Musical

Eastern University’s Theatre department is proud to present Working, a musical based on the book by Studs Terkel, adapted by Stephen Schwartz and Nina Faso. The musical features songs from Craig Carnelia, Micki Grant, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mary Rodgers and Susan Birkenhead, Stephen Schwartz, and James Taylor. 

Studs Terkel explains that Working is about a search “for daily meaning as well as daily bread, for recognition as well as cash . . . for a sort of life rather than a Monday through Friday sort of dying. Perhaps immortality too, is part of the quest. To be remembered was the wish, spoken and unspoken, of the heroes and heroines of this book.”

That book is now a musical with monologues created from interviews with local community members including Sergeant Santiago, a Philadelphia police officer and part-time English professor at Esperanza College. Sergeant Santiago has worked the streets for over a decade and his passion for the Kensington and Esperanza community shines through even the darkest night shift. 

The cast and crew created a localized version of the musical featuring a cast of 17 undergraduate students who bring to life the difficult, honest, and hilarious facets of working in America over the last several decades. A five-person pit band composed of students and local musicians makes for a highly entertaining afternoon of theatre.

Working is a family-friendly musical.

In person tickets are $5 for general admission and free for seniors students. You may also live-stream this performance by purchasing tickets here.