NMHS Theater Is ‘Working’ Its Way Back to You

By Jillian Daley

North Marion High School musical theater will return this December — after a three-year pandemic-era pause.

The last musical that High School students performed was “The Addams Family” in 2019, but the dry spell is about to end. Next month, students, under the leadership of Director Carol Read, will be taking on “Working: The Musical.” The curtain will rise at 7 p.m. on Dec. 9 and 10 in Gym 2 at the High School, 20167 Grim Road NE, Aurora. (Admission is $3 for students and $5 for adults.) 

The show, which features vibrant music, an often humorous script, and an energetic young cast, was originally going to be held in November. 

“This is a small cast, and we've had too much illness and other Murphy’s Law things happen, so we moved the date forward to be fair to these mostly new actors,” said Read, aka Drama Mama.

Normally, Studs Terkel’s “Working” enlists a large cast of characters, each of whom relays what they do for a living, how they came to have this job, and what it means to them. Amazingly, members of the North Marion cast are taking on several of these roles, each of which has a layered story. The stories ring true because they are true, each originating from a real-life narrative. 

“Everyone should see the show because it’s not like one they’ve seen before,” senior Chloe Jackson said. “It’s based on real words that these people actually said.”

Jackson — who plays a housewife, a nanny, and a project manager— noted that everyone will be able to find a character to whom they can relate. Yet for her, much of the thrill is the music, especially as she has two major solos.

“I’ve never soloed in front of an audience this big,” said Jackson, who performed in “The Addams Family” and is the Drama Club Vice President.

Senior Frankie Koller, who plays four roles including a hedge fund manager in this show (see more on the roles the actors play below), says the whole cast shines on stage when they sing.

“It seems like everyone has an ability to put all the emotions into the songs,” said Koller, who was also in “The Addams Family” and is the Drama Club President. “My favorite song is either ‘If I Could’ve Been’ because everyone sounds really pretty in that one or ‘It’s an Art’ because it’s really fun to do.”

It helps that the music, first created in the 1970s, is incredible material by Stephen Schwartz,  Craig Carnelia, Micki Grant, James Taylor, and Susan Birkenhead. It’s made even more powerful with new additions by “Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda.

“I wanted a show that would have a small cast, had great music, and had easier characters for new actors,” explained Read, aka Drama Mama. 

The people profiled in the play admit that they had other dreams, but have found great meaning in their work. Because of that, Read said that the show illustrates how we find true purpose in our work, “as with these young characters, finding their way to where they belong.” 

Truly, these young actors have found their way to a place where they belong: the stage.

“It’s fun to get up on stage and speak; it’s a fun way for me to express myself,” freshman Nicholas Young said.

Since most of the actors play multiple characters, they get to try on different personalities, as well. Young takes on the roles of Raj, a tech support specialist; Conrad, a UPS driver; and Eddie a publicist. Jackson plays Kate, a housewife; Amanda, a project manager; and Teresa, a nanny. Koller is embodying characters with, perhaps, the widest range in personalities, spanning both age and gender: Rex, a hedge fund manager; Dolores, a waitress; Candy, a socialite; and Ralph, a student between high school and college. 

Koller also said they love expressing themselves on stage, whether it’s serious or light. They noted that the musical features some lighter scenes.

“My favorite scene is the office scene in the beginning because everyone is playing office people,” they said. “They all mime keyboards and phones, and it’s really funny.”

After three years without theater, the music, humor, and exuberant young crew may be just what North Marion High School has been waiting for.

As Jackson said, “Everyone should see the show.”

To share stories on the North Marion School District, email Communications Specialist Jillian Daley at jillian.daley@nmarion.k12.or.us.