Temp Slave, The MusicalSee the new 2018 revival production!!
An original musical comedy by Catherine Capellaro and Andrew Rohn
Directed by David Lawver, choreographed by Alecia Altstaetter
A brand-new revival of the smash hit musical comedy about the zany world of temporary employment -- featuring a LIVE BAND and TWO NEW SONGS! Temp Slave, The Musical made the "Best of '97" lists in both the Wisconsin State Journal and Isthmus, and enjoyed a sold-out run in December.
Temp Slave is an original musical about the trials and tribulations of temp work, and the nefarious plot by an evil Senator to replace the labor force nationwide with temp workers -- foiled by our heroes, of course.
Produced by Mercury Players at the new Esquire Theater, 113 E. Mifflin Street.
Performances are January 7-31, 1999, Thursdays - Saturdays at 8:00 pm and Sundays at 2:00 pm
Tickets are $10. For reservations, call 242-0150.
An original-cast CD recording of the songs will be available at the door for $10 during all performances.
For More Info: Catherine Capellaro (playwright, producer), 257-4626, Sarah Austin (producer), 256-3332, Andrew Rohn (playwright, composer/lyricist), 245-1206
This project is funded in part from the Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission, with additional support from the Madison Community Foundation.
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About the Play
Temp Slave is an original musical comedy inspired by real-life experiences of temporary workers. When the play opens, five characters - a journalist, an idealistic lawyer, an ex-welfare mom, a computer whiz and a musician - enter the machinery of PeoplePower, Inc. They take assignments as an administrative assistant at a chaotic investment firm, cookie tester, drug company guinea pig, and fast-food mascot.
Sam, the lawyer, accepts a temp job working at PeoplePower as the other temps end up there, jobless and discouraged, to pick up their paychecks. While his bosses are out, Sam gets his friends placed at a think tank headed by the sinister Senator Bob Hartman. Hartman is architect of a public campaign to undermine organized labor by replacing full-time workers with low-paid temps - and is also the biggest stockholder of PeoplePower. Our heroes learn of the senator's dastardly plan, and use their various talents to unearth evidence against him and wreak havoc on his empire.
Temp Slave's strikingly original musical score includes the "PeoplePower" theme song, the plaintive "This is Real," and the temps' call to arms, "Sabotage."
About Temp Slave
Temp Slave, the musical was inspired by the nationally distributed zine, independently published by local author Jeff Kelly. Garrett County Press published a book, Best of Temp Slave, last year.
The Revival
Mercury Players' 1997 production of Temp Slave at Brave Hearts Theater played to sold-out houses and was a best-of-the-year selection by both the Wisconsin State Journal and Isthmus.
This new production features live music played by the "Temp Avengers," two brand-new songs, new direction and choreography, a spectacular set and an expanded cast. The show marks Mercury Players' debut in the newly renovated Esquire Theater.
About the Playwrights
The husband-and-wife team of Catherine Capellaro and Andrew Rohn met while working on Broom Street Theater's My Fair Arab in 1992, and collaborated in the Merkins, a funk/rock/bluegrass musical ensemble.
Capellaro is a writer, performer and political activist. She works for The Progressive magazine. She appeared in the 1997 version of Temp Slave, Welcome to the Moon, Love Fest, Little Slices and Desire. She also portrayed Janis Joplin in Piece of My Heart at Broom Street Theater.
Rohn's music has been featured in several Broom Street Theater productions; in TV pilots and the movie Spaceman, produced by The Onion's Scott Dikkers; in Maureen Jansen's SmartDance performances; and in several bands in Madison and New York, including the Merkins and MUFA.
Capellaro and Rohn were featured recently in Madison Magazine's "Madison 50."
About the Director
David Lawver has directed more than 50 musicals, comedies and dramas in the Madison area. He has directed for Strollers Theatre, Oregon Straw Hat Players, CTM Productions, Madison Savoyards, UW-Madison and MATC, among others. He directed Kiss Me Kate for Oregon Straw Hat Players, A Stephen Sondheim Evening for Strollers, Fiddler on the Roof for MATC and Equus for Strollers.
About the Choreographer
Alecia Altstaetter has most recently choreographed and performed in Jesus Christ Superstar at Sun Prairie Civic Theater and Kiss Me Kate for Oregon Straw Hat Players.
The Cast
The cast of Temp Slave includes Ken Adams, Lynne Adolphson, Sarah Austin, Chris Babiarz, Lisa Bauer, Joe Cammarano, Catherine Capellaro, Jodi Cohen, Kathleen Conklin, Matt Grzybowski, Buck Hakes, Jake Jacobson, Neil Jahren, Bob Moore, Jayne Reuter, Amy Silver, D.W. Wanberg and Marcy Weiland.
The Band
"The Temp Avengers" include Rick Flowers, Pete Olig, Andrew Rohn, C.J. Summerfield, Jeremy Thal and Mike Welch. All are seasoned Madison-area musicians.
Production history
Originally presented December 4-7, 11-14, and 18-21, 1997 at Brave Hearts Theatre
Revived March 26-28, 1998 at 8 pm at the Kanopy Dance Studio, Gateway Mall, 600 Williamson Street.