Jeb Brown Replaces Will Chase in 2/19 Working Concert

Jeb Brown (High Fidelity, Ring of Fire) will replace Will Chase in the one-night only, newly-adapted concert version of Working, a benefit for the Actor's Fund of America, which will take place next Monday, February 19, 2007 at The Zipper Theatre (336 West 37th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues). 

Chase has withdrawn from the concert due to scheduling conflicts with a television pilot, and Brown joins a line-up that also includes Merle Dandridge (Tarzan), Ed Dixon (the original production of Les Misérables), Roderick Hill (Butley), Tony -nominee Celia Keenan-Bolger (Les Misérables, . . . Spelling Bee) and two-time Tony-nominee Mary Testa (See What I Wanna See).

Working is the 1978 musical adapted by Stephen Schwartz from the acclaimed non-fiction book by Studs Terkel.  This new concert version is adapted from the original by director Gordon Greenberg (Jacques Brel . . . ).  Working contains original songs by Stephen Schwartz, Craig Carnelia, Micki Grant, Mary Rodgers and Susan Birkenhead and James Taylor.  Steve Marzullo is the music director.  Warren Carlyle (Mame at The Kennedy Center) is the choreographer.

"Working," according to press materials, "presents men and women from every walk of life talking about their jobs - their likes and dislikes, fears, problems and happiness.  Captures the voices of America, Working creates a rich and unique document that is as simple as conversation, but as subtle and heartfelt as the meaning of our lives."

The show features songs by Stephen Schwartz: ("All the Livelong Day," "It's an Art," "Fathers and Sons,"; Micki Grant ("If I Could've Been," "Lovin' Al" and "Cleaning Women"); Craig Carnelia ("Just a Housewife," "The Mason," "Joe" and "Something to Point To"); James Taylor ("Brother Trucker," "Millwork," "Traffic Jam") and Susan Birkinhead and Mary Rodgers ("Nobody Tells Me How").

The reading features lighting design by Jeff Croiter and Jeff Carnevale and sound design by Peter Fitzgerald. 

Tickets are priced at $55 and $30 and are on sale now through Theatermania.com or by calling 212-352-3101 or 866-811-4111 (toll free).

Photo of Jeb Brown by Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.