Full Synopsis

Full Synopsis

This revamped version of Working begins with a raw stage that is being prepared by actors and technicians for the performance that is about to begin. It starts on Monday morning, as the actors introduce their characters and prepare for their day ("All the Livelong Day"). Mike Dillard, an ironworker, is the first whom we meet, as he shares the pride of his manual labor and his frustrations in the lack of recognition that he receives for his simple, yet important, work.

Meanwhile, in the land of office cubicles, Amanda McKenny, a project manager at a major business, and several other employees whose personalities are confined to their cubicles, comment on what they do to pass the time of their boring jobs. Amanda, however, has aspirations that are bigger than her current job and shows her determination to work her way up through the ropes.

Next, Freddy Rodriguez, a fast food worker who is thrilled when he gets to deliver food and receive tips ("Delivery"), talks of his hopes of saving enough money to live out his dreams one day. Rex Winship, a hedge fund manager and Amanda's boss, tells us of his enjoyment in leadership and the attraction of women to money. He speaks of his aspirations to share his experiences and values as a teacher.

Rose Hoffman, a third grade teacher, shares her experiences in dealing with different types of children and the changing times since she began working in 1967 ("Nobody Tells Me How"). Rose tells of one special student, Terry Mason, who enters to share a story of a recent experience traveling as a flight attendant.

A horn honks as Frank Decker expounds on his love of cruising through the country as a delivery truck driver ("Brother Trucker"). Going home to visit his wife is a hassle for Frank and, even though he may find himself within minutes of his home, he finds it too difficult to go back to his family. He tries to call his wife to tell her that he will not be coming back home, but his cell phone problems lead him to a phone call with Raj Chadha, an operator for Verizon tech support. Raj deals with the struggles of wanting to be a voice for someone in need but with the limitations that his job puts on customer communication. Sharon Atkins, a receptionist, steps in and joins Raj, discussing the negative aspects of jobs that are communication-based.

Kate Rushton, a housewife, receives a phone call that forces her to deal with the challenges of simple housework ("Just a Housewife"). Conrad Swibel, a UPS man, startles Kate when he arrives to deliver a basket. Conrad relates the excitement that he receives from catching dogs and women unaware in an effort to spice up his job.

A hustler, Roberta Victor, and a fundraiser, Candy Cottingham, discuss the necessities of working, scrambling to make money and getting lost in work. Grace Clements, a millworker, illustrates the dangers of a typical day at the factory and the hardships of living under a constant clock, but offers her secrets to get through it ("Millwork"). Next, Allen Epstein, a community organizer, shares the necessities and troubles in fighting for a better way of life. The cast enters, assuming various characters from the show, remembering their dreams and aspirations and the challenges that changed their plans along the way ("If I Could've Been").

An incredible lover of rocks, Anthony Coelho, a 60-year-old stone mason, remarks on the joy that he finds in his craft, as shown by his incredible attention to detail... that goes unnoticed by all but him ("The Mason"). Eddie Jaffe, a publicist, honestly reflects on his shortcomings as a person and how this is reflected in his work. Then, Delores Dante, a waitress, explains her job as a personal passion that she has perfected over the past 16 years ("It's an Art"). Several other common people enter to lament on getting laid off, the economy and the battle to stay above it all.

Joe Zutty, a retired fireman, offers advice on how to stay active after retirement ("Joe"). Tom Patrick, a current firefighter, expresses the intensity of having a life-threatening, yet life-saving, job. Utkarsh Trujillo, a caregiver, comes to take Joe back to his room and explains that, while his job may not pay much, it is incredibly rewarding work; meanwhile, Theresa Liu, a nanny, talks about the joy that she finds in caring for children of careless parents ("A Very Good Day").

Part of a family line of cleaning ladies, Maggie Holmes finds hope and strength in the belief that her daughter is of a new generation that will break the mold and make something more of herself than has been their family's tradition ("Cleanin' Women"). Meanwhile, Ralph Werner, a 19-year-old salesman, is sharing his life plan for living, working and a family. Another 19-year-old who is currently collecting unemployment, Charlie Blossom tells of an incredible job that he had with a Chicago newspaper... and how he got fired through a plan that he had concocted in the hopes of being different.

Mike comes back and is reminded of his son by Ralph and Charlie. He speculates on how quickly his child grew up and how quickly he must have grown up in his father's eyes ("Fathers and Sons"). The workers come back to restate the importance of taking pride in their work and acknowledge the impact that their work has had on so many other people's lives ("Something to Point To").