“REMINDS YOU OF THE SERENDIPITOUS PLEASURES OF HEARING SOMEONE DESCRIBE WHAT SHE OR HE DOES FOR A LIVING.”
—The New York Times

Based on the best-selling Studs Terkel book of the same name, Working: A Musical celebrates the vital roles played by those who make our country run. Andréa Burns, Mateo Ferro, David Garrison, Helen Hunt, Christopher Jackson, Javier Muñoz, and Tracie Thoms deliver vibrant portrayals of a wide range of American workers, from the proud waitress and the tired millworker to City Center’s own staff who “pulse with a vitality and human detail that makes you think, ‘Tell me more’” (The New York Times).

Originally adapted by Stephen Schwartz and Nina Faso, Off-Center’s new incarnation incorporates City Center stories, in honor of our 75th Anniversary Season, which are told alongside cherished songs from the original show such as “Just a Housewife,” “Millwork,” and “Fathers and Sons.” Two new songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda enrich the score by an already illustrious and eclectic list of songwriters: Craig Carnelia, Micki Grant, Mary Rodgers and Susan Birkenhead, and James Taylor as well as Schwartz.

A testament to the hopes, dignity, and sense of purpose shared by each one of us, Working: A Musical is not to be missed.

Working: A Musical is part of the 2019 Encores! Off-Center season along with Promenade and Road Show. These works explore and re-examine the concept of the American Dream. Read more

Join the conversation #WorkingNYCC

Following the Saturday 2pm performance, members of the cast and creative team will discuss the making of this production.

Before each Encores! Off-Center performance, ticket holders are invited to come early to experience The Lobby Project created by Artists-in-Residence The Civilians.

The Lobby Project is a series of pre-performance events featuring a musical theater performance based around the themes of each Off-Center production. Free for that evening’s ticket holders, The Lobby Project begins one hour before curtain in City Center’s Grand Tier lobby on the second floor.

Listen to the recording of Working on Working. 

From the book by Studs Terkel
Adapted by Stephen Schwartz and Nina Faso
With additional contributions by Gordon Greenberg
Songs by Craig Carnelia, Micki Grant, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mary Rodgers and Susan Birkenhead, Stephen Schwartz, James Taylor
Choreographed by Avihai Haham
Music Direction by Alvin Hough, Jr.
Directed by Anne Kauffman

Starring Andréa Burns, Mateo Ferro, David Garrison, Helen Hunt, Christopher Jackson, Javier Muñoz, and Tracie Thoms.

With Daniel Ching, Tilly Evans-Krueger, Tessa Grady, and Malik Shabazz Kitchen.

Encores! Off-Center Artistic Director Anne Kauffman
Encores! Off-Center Creative Advisor Jeanine Tesori
Encores! Off-Center Music Director Chris Fenwick

Working: A Musical is part of the 2019 Encores! Off-Center season along with Promenade and Road Show.

Learn about all the extraordinary programming and ancillary events we have lined up for our 75th Anniversary Season.

75th Anniversary Season Sponsors
Stacey and Eric Mindich

Leadership Support for Encores! Off-Center is provided by
Stacey and Eric Mindich Fund for Musical Theater

Major Support is provided by

Series Sponsors
Stacy Bash-Polley
Luigi Caiola and Sean McGill
Elizabeth and Dean Kehler
Andrew Martin-Weber
Paula and Ira Resnick
Nathalie and Pablo Salame

The Lobby Project is sponsored by
The Frederick Loewe Foundation

Support for the Arts Access Fund is provided by
JLGreene Arts Access Fund in The New York Community Trust
Blanchette Hooker Rockefeller Fund

Support for the Artistic Innovation Fund is provided by
Lisa and Richard Witten