Mary Testa Joins All-Star Actors' Fund Working Concert

Two-time Tony Award-nominee Mary Testa (See What I Wanna See, On the Town) has been added to the one-night only, newly-adapted concert version of Working, a benefit for the Actor's Fund of America, which will take place on Monday, February 19, 2007 at The Zipper Theatre (336 West 37th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues). 

Testa joins a line-up that also includes Will Chase (High Fidelity), Merle Dandridge (Tarzan), Ed Dixon (the original production of Les Misérables), Roderick Hill (Butley) and Celia Keenan-Bolger (Les Misérables, . . . Spelling Bee).

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 . . .).  The show contains original songs by Stephen Schwartz, Craig Carnelia, Micki Grant, Mary Rodgers and Susan Birkenhead and James Taylor.  Steve Marzullo is the music director.  The Zipper Theatre, Ryan Hill and John Johnson will present the concert.

Working "presents men and women from every walk of life talking about their jobs - their likes and dislikes, fears, problems and happiness.  Capturing 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," press notes state.

"I've always been a great fan of this show and wondered how we might expose the workings of the show itself – by featuring things like stage manager calls and the backstage crew doing their jobs – and by watching fewer actors play more characters, in a Brechtian sense. Ultimately though, it's amazingly authentic and human," says Mr. Greenberg.

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 concert 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 www.Theatermania.com or by calling 212-352-3101 or 866-811-4111 (toll free).

Photo of Mary Testa by Genevieve Rafter Keddy