Years before “Defying Gravity,” Stephen Schwartz tackled a topic far more down to earth.
The composer and lyricist best known for Wicked, found success while still in his 20s. Godspell (1971), Pippin (1972) and The Magic Show (1974, starring hippie magician Doug Henning) were all hits. Then came Working.
Working (1978) was not a hit, managing only 24 performances before shuttering. It was based on author Louis “Studs” Terkel’s 1974 book, Working: People Talk About What They Do All Day and How They Feel About What They Do. It’s a collection of interviews Terkel conducted with workers: grocery store clerks, policemen, truck drivers, cabbies, construction workers, telephone operators and many, many more. Not the likeliest choice for a musical.
Should Schwarz decide to revisit Working — he’s got to do something with all that Wicked money — he might find greater success by letting the characters from his other musicals talk about their jobs.
Or it might flop even worse the second time. Who knows? Do I look like Kalshi? Either way, in honor of Labor Day, here’s how we think that might go:
Elphaba, wicked witch: “So my actual job title, like on my W-2, is ‘wicked witch.’ What the hell? That’s not the job I applied for. ‘We decided to change the title.’ Whatever. You changed the title when I found out this Oz guy is an animal-hating fraud and I wouldn’t stop talking about it. Anybody there gonna take my side? Hell no. Not even Galinda or Glinda or whatever she’s calling herself. You know, my roomie, by BFF, my ride or die? Nah. She’s got her career to think about. I’m hiding in the damn woods so she can get a corner office.”
Glinda, good witch: “Look, I don’t like these modifiers – good, wicked, we’re witches, OK? Sure, I try to be good. So does Elphaba. She thinks she’s right and I guess she is on a strictly moral or ethical level. And I think morals and ethics are great, they really are. But is that all we are? I need to embrace a fuller version of myself and not get bogged down by always having to do the right thing. My job is to fly around and smile and not ruffle any feathers, OK? I mean, sure, he’s an animal-hating fraud but I know who signs my paycheck, right?”
Pippin, prince, seeker, malcontent: “I’m kind of between jobs at the moment. I was gonna learn the ropes and take over the family business when Pops retires. But I go to work with him once and I saw what he does and it’s gross. Severed heads, blood all over? Not this kid. I’m out. I’m just wandering around, hanging out, pondering life and stuff. Problem is, Pops cut off my funds when I split so things are pretty tight right now. I mean, I know I’ve got to be where my spirit can run free, but have you seen what corners of the sky are going for now? It’s nuts!”
Charlamagne, king, tyrant: “Nobody likes a tyrant until they need one and then they’re all ‘Rule us, king! Protect us! Slay the Visigoths!’ Whatever. But my kid? Didn’t see that coming. Pippin. I never should have let his mother name him. I figured he’d change his name and take over when I retire, but no, one day at work and he’s ‘Oh, Dad, you’re a tyrant, blah blah blah.’ You know how many acts of tyranny I committed every month just to pay the bills? Tyranny’s OK when it buys you clothes and food and a roof over your head. But once he sees how the sausage is made, ‘Eww! I’m too good for this! I’m gonna find my corner of the sky!’ He’ll be back. I mean, it’s a job, right? It wasn’t my first choice. I wanted to host a syndicated morning radio show. But whaddaya gonna do?”
Doug, magician: “My title is magician, but my job is magic! And my job is magical! But is it really my job or is it an illusion? If it’s an illusion, doesn’t that mean it’s magic? Am I an illusion? Am I magic? Am I … hey, come back here with the mic! I’ve got more to say! Is it a microphone? Or is it an ILLUSION?”
Wicked returns to Straz Feb. 3-28. For more information, visit our website or call 813.229.7827.