Michigan Tech students looking for something to do over October Recess may want to consider attending “Working” at the Calumet Theatre on Oct. 23 and 24 at 7 p.m. The musical doesn’t follow a traditional hero and villain plot but rather focuses on the experiences of everyday working people, highlighting the roles they play in their communities.
Cast member Nayt Boyt said that the structure is part of what makes the production unique. “It centers around the people in our community, the jobs they do, the work they do. It’s more about each individual person and then all of them coming together as a community,” Boyt said. The musical portrays workers from a diversity of occupations, allowing viewers to find personal connections in characters who resemble people they may encounter in everyday life.
This core component of the musical is what stood out to Nehemiah Glenn, a former Finlandia University student. “I can relate to it so much, because I work at McDonald’s,” Glenn said, noting that “If you’ve been in any sort of working class for at least one to two years, then you really will understand what they’re telling you on stage and what they’re trying to convey.”
In addition to the plot, the venue itself plays an important role in the experience. Opened in 1900, the Calumet Theatre has been restored to much of its original character. A box-office worker said the building’s history and atmosphere contribute to the appeal of attending a performance there. Boyt also pointed out, “It’s an awesome theater. It’s a historical building. Super cool to go around and see it. Also, because of the way it’s built, acoustically, the sound is really awesome.”For some audience members, these aspects of the building alone go beyond any individual performance. One frequent visitor said that she has spent years helping with the theater’s music programs and volunteering around the building with her husband.When asked what keeps bringing them back, her answer was simple: “The theater calls out to us, and we come.”
Throughout the year, the theater hosts musicals, plays, movies, dance performances, jazz concerts, and other events. Tickets can be purchased online at the Calumet Theatre website or in-person at the front desk.
