
APRIL 29–MAY 9, 2021 | VIRTUAL
Based upon Studs Terkel’s 1974 bestseller, Working: People Talk About What They Do All Day and How They Feel About What They Do, Working: A Musical shares actual workers’ words from the book and gives voice to their hopes and aspirations through music by Stephen Schwartz, James Taylor, Micki Grant, and Lin-Manuel Miranda, among others. Each person – trucker, waitress, stay-at-home mom, hedge fund manager, laborer, millworker, project manager, delivery person, and more – have a unique story to tell.
The musical has undergone several revisions since its premiere in 1977 and on Broadway in 1978. CATCO will present the 2012 Revised Version with updated text and new songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda.
The Sunday, May 9 performance will contain open captions.
CAST & CREW
Rachel Heine
Rachel Heine* is excited to return to CATCO after stage managing A Columbus Christmas Carol, Prima Donna, and 20K Leagues Under the Sea. National Tours: Rock of Ages 10th Anniversary Tour, The Illusionists, 42nd Street, Once. Off-Broadway: The Body of an American, Daddy Long Legs. Other NYC Credit: The Flea Theatre, NYC Fringe Festival. Regional: Alley Theatre, Columbus Children’s Theatre. Education: Otterbein University.
Rachel Heine
Stage ManagerVivica McCrary
Vivica McCrary is absolutely thrilled to be a part of CATCO’s Working as assistant stage manager in her second virtual production! She has been an admirer of CATCO and CAPA is Kids ever since participating in their summer programs as a child. Vivica is a stage manager and a talented voiceover artist with hands in everything creative! Vivica has also stage managed and directed several shows over the years, such as State of The Arts Productions’ The Color Purple and The Hundred Dresses. It is truly her privilege to work with such a phenomenal cast and crew! Please enjoy this “labor” of love, Working! #BlackLivesMatter
Vivica McCrary
Assistant Stage ManagerShoshana Canali
Shoshana Canali is thrilled to be working on her first show with CATCO! She is a choreographer, director, and acting coach based out of NYC. With a BFA from Webster Conservatory and experience both regionally and in New York, Shoshana coaches all ages at multiple studios. Recent work as a director and movement coach include The Wolves (DSAC), Generations (JazellesArtistry), and 4 minute Shakespeare.
Shoshana Canali
ChoreographerJennifer Maynard
Jennifer Maynard has always had a passion for creating. She enjoys dabbling in a little bit of anything and everything, whether it be makeup artistry, painting, photography, property fabrication, or digital design, the list is endless. With a BA degree in theatre studies: production from The School of Theatre and Dance at Kent State University, Jenn has taken her earned skills and used them to earn more, thus leading her to CATCO during the fall 2017 production of Fun Home where she first volunteered as an usher. Since then, she has worked on multiple productions including Daddy Long Legs, Breaking the Code, and Holmes and Watson. Jenn has also discovered her love for working with CATCO is Kids on a variety of productions, including some of her proudest moments like The Cat in the Hat and Alice in Wonderland JR. She has recently become a member of the IATSE Local Stage Hand 12 and is excited to see where that leads her. Outside of CATCO, Jenn has been able to display her makeup artistry and paintings with RAW Natural Born Artists. She thanks CATCO for helping her discover new skills and creating a second home for her.
Jennifer Maynard
Props MasterCarmine Grisolia
Carmine Grisolia is a longtime ensemble member of Strawdog Theatre Company in Chicago, the city where he also imitates art by “Working” as an electrical contractor. This is Carm’s first time performing with CATCO, and he is thrilled to have the chance to bring so much of his own history and his family’s legacy to the virtual stage. He would like to dedicate this performance to his working grandparents and great aunts and uncles from the greater Chicago area — they really woulda got a kick outta this.
Carmine Grisolia
Man 3Cory Velazco
Cory Velazco is a music teacher in the Columbus City Schools and loves to practice what he teaches. When working in the theater, he enjoys both plays and musicals in equal measure. He is also an avid reader and coffee drinker. Working is his virtual show as well as his debut show with CATCO. He has enjoyed being part of this process, and is excited to see the final product. He is immensely grateful to the cast and crew for all their help and guidance throughout this wild journey.
Cory Velazco
Man 2Amy Griffin
Amy Griffin has appeared on Broadway in How the Grinch Stole Christmas (original cast, cast recording) and Off-Broadway in The English Bride, Mr. President, Infertility, Newsical, three productions of Forbidden Broadway, and as the Nightingale in the revival of Once Upon a Mattress (starring Jackie Hoffman). First National Tours: Mrs. Mayor in Seussical: The Musical (starring Cathy Rigby) and Grinch. Other credits include: Loretta in Fly Me to the Moon (The Public Theater); Older Alison in Fun Home (New England Premiere); Dr. Ruth in Becoming Dr. Ruth (Music Theatre of Connecticut); Belise in The Learned Ladies (Centenary Stage); Miss Prism in The Importance of Being Earnest (Savannah Rep); Sally in Talley’s Folly (Bickford and Oldcastle Theatres); the Beggar Woman in Sweeney Todd (Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival); Fran in Grumpy Old Men (starring F. Murray Abraham) and Mrs. Fairfax/Mrs. Reed/Grace Poole in the recent workshops of John Caird and Paul Gordon’s Jane Eyre. Amy has somehow survived playing the title role in Peter Pan seven (!) times. She has received the Independent Theatre Award for her performance (as well as many frequent flyer miles). As a director, her credits include White Plains Performing Arts Center, the Engeman Theatre, the Depot Theatre, and The American Musical and Dramatic Academy, NYC. Amy is a proud graduate of Northwestern University, where she received the Excellence in Theatre Award. www.Amy-Griffin.com
Amy Griffin
Woman 3Roni Shelley Perez
Roni Shelley Perez is a proud Pinoy from the Midwest. She was recently seen as the role of Lucy in The Rose Theatre’s world premiere of Howie D: Back in the Day starring Backstreet Boys’ Howard Dorough. Favorite credits include: Soonja Ma (Goeun u/s) in Off-Broadway’s Comfort Women: A New Musical and Veronica Sawyer in a regional premiere of Heathers: The Musical. Perez is proudly represented by Take 3 Talent. She sends all the love to family and friends! Mabuhay!
Roni Shelley Perez
Woman 1Je’Shaun Jackson
Je’Shaun Jackson is a junior BFA musical theatre major at Northern Kentucky University. He was recently seen as Revita Glory, Jefferson Glory, and Darnell Nusspickle in the touring production of Church Girls: The Musical, and voiced the role of Richie in Richie and Blanche – A Pod Play with Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. His NKU credits include: Wyatt Frost (Originated) in The Black Boy in Pink!; Bobby/Kit Kat Dancer in Cabaret; Dr. Ehrin, Pastor Bruno, Security Guard, Gym Assistant, and Officer Kowalski in Freaky Friday: The Musical; James Hewlett in The African Company Presents: Richard III; Company Dancer in Dance ’20; and Joshua in the filmed production of Fugitive Songs. Other credible roles include: William Barfèe in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee; Shrek in Shrek The Musical, and Uncle Fester in The Addams Family Musical. He is beyond grateful to have the opportunity to work with such a stellar cast and crew. He would also like to thank his incredible family and friends. He hopes you enjoy the show!
Instagram: @_shaunjay_ TikTok: @_jeshaunjackson_
Je’Shaun Jackson
Man 1Kendra Lynn Lucas
Kendra Lynn Lucas is beyond excited to be working with CATCO! Prior to the pandemic, Kendra could be seen every weekend in Sistas: The Musical (Dr.Simone) performing at the St. Luke’s Theatre in NYC. Some of her most recent regional credits include: 9-5: The Musical (Kathy), The Drowsy Chaperone (Trix), Disney’s Alice in Wonderland (Caterpillar), Cats (Grizabella), The Wiz (Eviline), The Who’s Tommy (Acid Queen), and Avenue Q (Gary Coleman). Kendra gives uncountable thanks to God, her ever-supportive mother, JoeAnn, SW Artist, and to all her amazing friends and family, she expresses her extreme gratitude for their constant encouragement.
Kendra Lynn Lucas
Woman 2Chris Leyva
Chris is excited to be part of CATCO’s virtual season as a digital designer! Chris previously worked as digital designer for A Columbus Christmas Carol. His new play Prima Donna was part of the CATCO New Works Festival. Chris’ previous plays have been commissioned and developed by CATCO, CLIMB Theatre, MadLab Theatre, Alliance Theatre, Curtain Players New Play Initiative, Great Plains Theatre Conference, and the Columbus School for Girls, among others. His plays The Throne of Oz and Cowgirls Don’t Ride Zebras both premiered at CATCO is Kids. Chris has been an artist educator for CATCO and is a playwright mentor for MadLab Theatre’s Young Writers Short Play Festival. He received an MFA from the Playwrights Workshop at The University of Iowa, a BA in Directing from Coe College, and is a member of the Dramatists Guild.
Chris Leyva
Digital Designer/EditorDaniella Wheelock
Daniella Wheelock is a Chicago-based theatremaker, originally from San Diego, California. She graduated magna cum laude from the Conservatory for Theatre Arts at Webster University with a degree in directing and was an Emerging Professional Resident at Milwaukee Repertory Theatre. She is on the DirectorsLabChicago Steering Committee and is a grant writer for Red Tape Theatre. Recent directing credits include: Fragmented (visual designer/assistant to dir. Spencer Diedrick, Our Perspectives: Asian American Plays); The Roommate (Cardinal Stage); Every Christmas Story Ever Told (Quincy Community Theatre); The Great Leap (assistant to dir. Jesca Prudencio, Steppenwolf Theatre Company); The Process (The Barrens Theatre Co.). daniellawheelock.com
Daniella Wheelock
DirectorJeremy Ramey
Jeremy Ramey is a concert pianist, conductor, and music director based in Chicago and serves as the resident music director for Theo Ubique Theatre Company. In 2020, Jeremy received his eleventh and twelfth Jeff nominations for music direction for his work on Hedwig and the Angry Inch and Hello, Again. Jeremy has won six Jeff awards total – most recently for Bridges of Madison County in 2019. He received previous Jeff awards for The Light in the Piazza, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Rent, The Most Happy Fella and Sweeney Todd. In 2016, he won his second Broadway World Award for Music Direction for his work on Bette, Live at The Continental Baths with the production company Hell in a Handbag. He received his training in piano performance and music at Rhodes College, Northwestern University and The Juilliard School of Music. Jeremy sends his best regards to the wonderful cast, crew, and our director, Daniella. Thank you, especially, to Leda for the opportunity to be a part of the team at CATCO.
Jeremy Ramey
Music DirectorRowan Winterwood
Rowan Winterwood is a designer, technician, stage manager, and occasional actor and director. She holds a dual degree in cognitive & linguistic sciences and theatre studies from Wellesley College, where she was a member of the Wellesley College Shakespeare Society. She is an ensemble member of Actors’ Theatre of Columbus, where recent credits include Romeo & Juliet (stage manager), Mystery-Bouffe (director, staged reading), and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (sound board operator). Recent CATCO credits include sound design for Babe and The Christmas Schooner, and lighting design for Sunshine.
Rowan Winterwood
Casting CoordinatorCaroline Dittamo
Caroline Dittamo has worked in opera, theater, and music as a stage manager, master electrician, and lighting designer, both in Ohio and Kansas. Her favorite recent shows include CATCO/Evolution’s Breaking the Code, CATCO is Kids’ Babe, The Sheep Pig, and Evolution’s The Turkey Men.
Caroline Dittamo
Production CoordinatorTabitha Abney
Tabitha Abney is an independent costume designer and wardrobe supervisor/stylist. She received her education at the Art Institute of Philadelphia, and in 2010, she moved to Columbus to create a new life for herself. She lives in Groveport, OH with her partner, Mark, and youngest son, Daniel. Fashion has always been at the heart of what she does, and it has taken her on an incredible journey – from an independent fashion designer, showcasing several collections at Columbus’ Alternative Week presented by The Alternative Fashion Mob, to creating costumes for zombie contestants for Ms. Living Dead Columbus. Tabi has also worked with Awalkonwater Entertainment as costume designer/wardrobe supervisor on their films Holy Hustle and A Family Affair. Working on films helped her to discover her love for costume design and working with actors to bring characters to life through clothing. Her aptitude for quick thinking on the spot and problem solving has given her the nickname “Miracle Worker” on any set where she’s worked. Her motto is “We’ll Make It Work.”
Tabitha Abney
Costume Design“At a time when our relationship with work is shifting – mass unemployment, concerns over workplace safety, more people than ever working from home – many of us are thinking hard about the role our jobs play in our lives. Are we defined by our jobs? Should we be? What hopes and dreams are tied up in that paycheck? From Studs Terkel’s book to the original musical, to this revised version, Working has always been about our shared humanity and the universal longing in all of us to be part of something.”
Leda Hoffmann, Artistic Director
STAY ENGAGED
- Q&A WITH COSTUME DESIGNER TABITHA ABNEY
CATCO Connections Blog | April 29, 2021
- CATCO’S PRODUCTION OF ‘WORKING’ SHINES A LIGHT ON IMPORTANCE OF JOB FULFILLMENT
The Columbus Dispatch | April 29, 2021
- TOP 5 REASONS TO SEE WORKING: A MUSICAL
CATCO Connections Blog | April 28, 2021
- COLUMBUSBLACK’S “WELLNESS WEDNESDAYS” WITH LEDA HOFFMANN AND SANDRA MOODY GRESHAM
ColumbusBlack.com | April 21, 2021
Daniella Wheelock Blog | April 15, 2021
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