Review: 'Working: A Musical' Is Minimalist, Meaningful

Why do we work? It's usually for more than money. To express ourselves, perhaps. To make a better life for our children. To create a legacy. To contribute to our country, our society. We can love our jobs or hate our jobs, but our reasons for working and our emotions about our jobs – which take up so much of our lives – are always deeply felt.

To explore these reasons fully, the author Studs Terkel crisscrossed America in the early 1970s recording more than 130 people in all kinds of jobs, from blue collar to professional. The result was a best-selling book – "Working: People Talk About What They Do All Day and How They Feel About What They Do" (published in 1974) – which was subsequently made into a musical. Over the years that musical, "Working," has been revised a number of times and presented all over the world.

A version of the 2012 revision with a score by multiple composers is now being presented at the Unicorn Theatre by the Berkshire Theatre Group. It's an excellent, though sparse, production that frequently cuts across the footlights and into our emotions. What comes through above all are the feelings and sincerity of the characters, all of whom are speaking the words of the workers first interviewed decades ago. We quickly realize that little has changed in the working world.

Except for 10 chairs, the stage is bare when we enter the theater. At the rear are five windows that resemble tellers windows at a bank complete with computer screens. The five people sitting behind them are members of the orchestra – too small, as everywhere these days, but composed of fine musicians led by Casey Reed.

After an opening number, "All The Livelong Day" written by Stephen Schwartz, the characters speak to us, sing or dance, one by one or in small groups. Particularly excellent is Denis Lambert. He has such a powerful presence it seems as though he is talking about himself. He's also a terrific singer and dancer as well. Farah Alvin as a teacher singing a song by Mary Rodgers and Susan Birkenhead and as a housewife (song by Craig Carnelia) is also very strong. Miles Wilkie, still in college and one of only two non-equity member of the cast, was most impressive as a retiree with growing dementia and as a UPS delivery man who loves to sneak up on people and scare them.

Dalton Board Signs Off on Land Sale Over Residents' Objections

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:50AM / Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Residents demanded the right to speak but the agenda did not include public comment. Amy Musante holds a sign saying the town now as '$20,000 less for a police station.'

DALTON, Mass. — The Select Board signed the sale on the last of what had been known as the Bardin property Monday even as a handful of residents demanded the right to speak against the action. 

 

The quitclaim deed transfers the nine acres to Thomas and Esther Balardini, who purchased the two other parcels in Dalton. They were the third-highest bidders at $31,500. Despite this, the board awarded them the land in an effort to keep the property intact.

 

"It's going to be an ongoing battle but one I think that has to be fought [because of] the disregard for the taxpayers," said Dicken Crane, the high bidder at $51,510.

 

"If it was personal I would let it go, but this affects everyone and backing down is not in my nature." 

 

Crane had appealed to the board to accept his bid during two previous meetings. He and others opposed to accepting the lower bid say it cost the town $20,000. After the meeting, Crane said he will be filing a lawsuit and has a citizen's petition for the next town meeting with over 100 signatures. 

 

Three members of the board — Chair Robert Bishop Jr., John Boyle, and Marc Strout — attended the 10-minute meeting. Members Anthony Pagliarulo and Daniel Esko previously expressed their disapproval of the sale to the Balardinis. 

 

Pagliarulo voted against the sale but did sign the purchase-and-sale agreement earlier this month. His reasoning was the explanation by the town attorney during an executive session that, unlike procurement, where the board is required to accept the lowest bid for services, it does have some discretion when it comes to accepting bids in this instance.