Have you ever felt like no one appreciates what you do? Maybe you're a teacher, a migrant worker, or even an interstate trucker. Maybe you're the parking lot attendant that the bigwig executive snubs every morning. If you've ever felt belittled by someone in an expensive car or a three-piece suit, then you can relate to the characters in "Working," performed by Herndon
High School.
"Working" is a show about the people who enter our daily lives in ways that we sometimes do not think about. Herndon does a wonderful job on this ensemble performance. The cast members make their characters believable, and the starkness of the set helps to emphasize the despair some of the characters feel. The show could be interpreted as depressing, or it could be seen as a celebration of all the people in the "working" world who are hardly ever
recognized.
While the cast is very talented all around, one vocalist stands out as particularly engaging. Delores Dante, played by Paris Lofaro, is a waitress who loves her job. She considers pleasing her customers and serving food "an art." Lofaro exudes energy and charm. Her facial expressions pull the audience into her world, making them feel as if Delores is serving them throughout her song. Along with her acting skills, Lofaro packs a strong, rich voice that is among the best in the cast. Who knew food service could be so entertaining?
One of the first things the audience notices about Herndon's performance is the lighting, designed by Mike Mauren. The background is lit with vibrant yellows, blues, and reds throughout the show, silhouetting the actors, and effectively setting the mood. Light is also used to separate certain areas of the stage, so more than one character can be onstage at the same time, yet still seem to be alone. The students running the light board should be commended for the almost flawless execution of the many cues during the
show.
American society revolves around the average, commonplace citizen. These people do not own 10 houses across the country or attend dinner parties every night. They work hard, dream big, and try to make sure their children have more opportunities than they do. The working class may not always have easy lives, but without these delivery men and cleaning women, life as we know it would be vastly different.