Everyone knows that in order to make a living you must have an income to meet all the average daily requirements. 

What you do to make that money is up to you.

Whether you are a parking lot attendant,  hooker, or a fireman, time and labor is being invested to meet those needs.

Based on Studs Terkel’s best-selling book “Working,” The Cerritos College Theatre Department gives recognition to those who work for their buck.  Showing the triumphs and struggles of the average working class citizen.

Jim Hormel, Director of the “Working” does a wonderful job at portraying the message.
Natalie Rollins went in support of a cast member and also took her daughter to watch the play,  “A lot of it had a lot of meaning, especially the housewife,” expressed Rollins ” My daughter even told me, “Oh yes I know what you mean now, I appreciate you mom.”

The music featured in the play was by Music Theatre International.

In an opening number entitled “Traffic Jam,” the orchestra and cast members really brought the meaning alive according to audience member Paula Patterson, “When they were talking about having to punch the time clock and making it to work on time, it was very real life and I knew exactly what they meant,” Patterson said.

Not only did the audience members connect with the story line, but also cast members like Ree Johnson, “I’ve done a lot of the jobs that are in this show, I parked cars, I have been a waiter, I use to build roofing material and worked in mills, so it’s all relatable to what I’ve done.”

Johnson played a parking lot attendant as well as a retired worker.

Not only did Hormel help guide and direct the play, but casting actors with different levels of experience really help pull the whole show together.

“The fact that I got to work with so many people that have done so many shows have been so great, “Cast member Danny Marin expressed, “they’ve taught me so much and have pushed me beyond what I can do.”

Marin is a student from Pacifica High School and has only worked in high school productions.

Cerritos College student Juan Cortes is an English major and has never done theatre in the past.

“Auditioning was a spur-of-the-moment thing. After seeing “Company” last year I never thought a musical produced by a school would be so great, so I gave it a shot.”
Cortes went on to say, “I never thought theatre would be this much fun, now I regret not doing it earlier.”

Anyone who works should go see “Working.” With much humor and great music, “Working” has its own flare unlike any other musical.

The show ends this weekend with showings on Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. in the Burnight Center Theatre.