Working: A Musical

See it if you love revues. Gd premise to spotlight diff jobs. Some songs/actors effective, others aren't..Hunt lacks presence (weird gestures) & voice

Don't see it if you want polished prodn. Choreog amateurish, then disappears. Songs uneven. City Center thread becomes tedious...and why so much nepotism?

See it if Timely revival of musical about the populist joys/woes of work & its weighty place in American ethics Very well sung/acted; Burns steals it

Don't see it if Despite its potency in current affairs, overall effect is rather listless & doesn't resonant Newly drafted tribute to City Center shines

See it if u want to see a cast of middling singers perform in concert a hodge-podge of jaunty songs about employment by a variety of noted songwriters

Don't see it if u seek a fully-staged production; u want any new insights into what it means to be gainfully employed (or not); u expect a plot or storyline

Also One of the new songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda ("Delivery") and perhaps the best known song of the show ("Brother Trucker") by James Taylor are the highlights of the score, but most of the songs are trite and unmemorable, though pleasant and serviceable. And I liked the idea, by way of contemporizing the show, of adding real stories from various workers at New York City Center. Unfortunately, the concept became overused, gimmicky & finally a heavy-handed advertisement for NYCC.... Read more Read less

See it if insightful at times moving lyrics; strong performances particularly by Chris Jackson; shows how work links the generations

Don't see it if song showcase, rather than a musical w a plot; few show-stoppers; dated view of work not addressing MeToo/ inequality/the undocumented

Also Musical attempts to draw together the songs by focusing the show on the working lives of long-time workers at City Center (ticket takers, ushers, etc.). The point is that it's the people who work in a building who make it what it is. Nice sentiment. But it still does not turn this into a compelling musical.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see two pros—Andrea Burns and David Garrison—steal the show.

Don't see it if you have the opportunity to see another production of "Working".

Also About five years ago, the Prospect Theatre Company produced a revival of "Working", which was so much better than this current production. In the latest incarnation, incorporating the stories of City Center personnel, grew tiresome very quickly. Also, the choreography started off beautifully, and then all of a sudden disappeared. Overall, this is a very lackluster production.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see an Off-Center musical about the highs and lows of jobs. Written by various famous lyricists. Great cast!

Don't see it if You expect elaborate set and full production. Collection of different song styles and themes.

Also Actors include Christopher Jackson and Javier Munoz. One of NY City Center Off-Center musical selections.... Read more Read less

See it if Hear/singing about people in all different jobs (plus about Employees of NYC Center).

Don't see it if Not a fan of singing musical, no flash

Also All in all I like this show, it had alot of different job represent in this show beside the NYC Center Employee. Some of songs were more touching to me, I like the "Teacher" and the last song about a parent love for their kids. The scene between the two caretaker talking about their job was touching to me.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a fantastic cast perform an updated and relevant revival. Interesting how they weaved in City Center employee stories.

Don't see it if you want to see a musical with a clear narrative arc and story. This is basically a collection of vignettes.

See it if Great performers, singers & dancers; terrific band; Helen Hunt is a pleasant surprise with her singing/acting; Christopher Jackson is a joy.

Don't see it if The disappointing part is the music which starts to get boring 1/4 of the way in; Working has really never worked in all its incarnations.

See it if Talented cast of singers handle songs by various composers about how much the characters like or hate their jobs. Four dancers are excellent

Don't see it if David Garrison's song "Joe" by Craig Carnelia about a retired working stiff, made me sad. Why doesn't this bored guy ever go to the theater?

See it if You want to see a real surprise hit. WOW

Don't see it if Just see it!!!!!!

Also I saw the original in the late 70s and it was a bore. This reimagining with 2 additional songs by Miranda and a revised book is terrific. There’s also some fantastic choreography that the original never had.... Read more Read less

See it if interested in show about everyday workers told in vignettes & songs. Updated revival with added new material. Often touching, Well performed

Don't see it if you want a show with a follow-thru story line. Some scenes work better than others.

See it if a sparse-yet-pertinent reflection on diverse workers, and their contributions to American life, appeals; you are a fan of any cast member.

Don't see it if anticipating a shocking, over-the-top, and lavish production; would prefer the original production without the NY City Center stories added.

Also Working: A Musical, rooted in Studs Terkel’s book, has been updated for the Encores! production. First, new orchestrations complement newer songs, including two engaging ones by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Also, stories of real NY City Center employees (played by the actors) are worked into this production. It’s very much a “concert staging”: some actors were on book. But with only two weeks to prepare/rehearse (as stressed in a post-show talk), the whole cast and crew have done a strong, thought-provoking job celebrating all types of employees—from ticket-takers to teachers, elderly-care workers to valets, teen fast-food employee to lead usher. I find this a timely, timeless tale about the American Dream. Afterward, I thought more about my own contributions to both my life and society—and reevaluating my happiness and creative outpouring. While some numbers aren’t as catchy and some of the talking between songs felt dry, I enjoyed it—particularly “Fathers and Sons” performed by Javier Muñoz.... Read more Read less

See it if You forget to think about all the people around you and want to see a show that puts them in the spotlight.

Don't see it if You don't like musicals

See it if You’re tired of being a member of the beaten-down middle class and want someone to sing your praises for a change.

Don't see it if You’re looking for a fully staged show. This one, per the usual Encores approach, is staged very simply.

Also I came for the two new songs by Lin-Manuel and stayed to enjoy everything!... Read more Read less

See it if A revised book, with some new material, of this revival about "working people."Focus is on employees of City Center.Great performances

Don't see it if You prefer large scale musicals with big casts and elaborate production numbers.

See it if you're up for great songs well delivered, depicting a wide range of professions. James Taylor, Stephen Schwartz, Lyn-Manuel Miranda, etc.

Don't see it if you're looking for a big production. This has a small band, but the singers were great.

Also I had never seen a production of Working before, so I'm not sure how the spoken transitions were handled. Here, some of them felt really labored and the City Center connection often felt heavy-handed and extraneous. Running time: 90 minutes, no intermission.... Read more Read less

See it if See it for heartfelt personal stories, great singing, and some fine songs.

Don't see it if The James Taylor songs are amusingly easy to spot. You're expecting a plot, this is more of a revue.

See it if some beautiful songs and fabulous voices. Andrea Burns a standout but strong overall cast. Solid Encores production.

Don't see it if you want a plot driven show-this is mostly a collection of songs. Some of the narratives worked better than others. Some clunky transitions.

See it if Great ensemble in Revue format (like Smoky Joe’s Cafe) drawing upon Studs Terkel work about common folk discussing their work

Don't see it if It’s a revue not a play butis delightful and full of very talented people like Chris Jackson, ANDREA Burns, Javier Muñoz and great dancing

See it if You would like to see good dancing and singing with average people taking about their jobs.

Don't see it if You can’t get out to see a good show.

See it if You're interested in one of Schwartz's lesser known works with good new material from LMM; you enjoy slice of life pieces without a plot

Don't see it if You're expecting universally good songs or performances...it's a bit uneven throughout. But the highlights make it worth the night, methinks

See it if you love the writers, or want to see a treatment of labor, through song and monologue, that is occasionally on target.

Don't see it if the show doesn't hang together; it feels episodic and slight. The best part is that it is specifically updated for the site [city center].

See it if you want to see a stellar cast. There are some great songs and the show will make you think about the people who work hard but go unnoticed.

Don't see it if you are looking for a story. The show is a concert featuring songs about people who work in different professions. It's nothing special.

See it if you appreciate the desire to revive a musical from the original Studs Terkel book of the same name, and you want to support the 99% who work

Don't see it if you expect wonderful music, or performances - these were just okay - and find the attempt to modernize and update this tired piece to fail.

Also While it was interesting to hear from folks who work in various capacities at City Center, I felt this was a gimmick that was unnecessary and unhelpful to the entire enterprise. Truthfully, although some talent was in evidence, I was mostly bored.... Read more Read less