Maximum Entertainment at Minimum Wage

Many students have worked in minimum wage burger places to make ends meet while in school. I have not had the pleasure. For those of us who knew nothing about working at one of these facilities, going into Minimum Wage: the musical was not only an evening of entertainment, but education, as well. For walking into the audience of Minimum Wage is the equivalent of walking into a training session at Happy Burger University (so be sure you sit nice and close like a good student).

The show starts off with Happy Burger University’s very own collegiate a cappella group introducing themselves—while handing out Burger Boy hats to the crowd. The troupe is comprised of Hux (creator/composer Jeff LaGreca), his brother Orwell (creator/composer Charly LaGreca—they’re actually brothers), the somewhat shy Bradbury (Bill Caleo), the somewhat promiscuous Piercy (Elena Meulener) and finally the somewhat unhygienic Titus (Marymount Manhattan College senior Tony Daussat). These five then proceed—without the aid of a pit band—to sing the audience through the entire training session.

So what makes Minimum Wage so special? Well, for one thing, it’s an entirely a cappella musical, meaning that all of the music comes from the five performers’ own mouths. It’s also audience interactive, so don’t plan on just sitting back and letting this one wash over you. Be fully prepared to participate, even if it means shaking your booty with danger. And do pay attention, as there is a quiz at the end of the show.

Minimum Wage is a concept musical that not only breaks the boundaries of dramatic form—there are lots of flashbacks—but also breaks the boundaries of theatrical convention making the audience an active part of the show. We are taught the art of Spatulation, the intricacies of Post-Mustardism, all under the umbrella of Hamburger-ology. But don’t let this fool you. Underneath all the schtick there is a big heart and though each character appears to be a caricature of a type you’d find in a minimum wage burger palace, they all have dreams and aspirations much like yours or mine. The show is a delightful mix of schticky fun (as well as sticky fun) and surprising pathos. Yes, pathos. A strong word, perhaps, for such a comedic piece, but as the characters’ inner fears and dreams come out we find ourselves cheering them on, not only because they can make us laugh, but because we truly care about them.

The highlight of the evening for any Marymount Manhattan College student would have to be Daussat’s performance as the hapless bass, Titus, who just wants a chance to sing a solo. Many who have enjoyed Daussat’s performances on our mainstage in productions such as The Inspector General, The Wild Party and The Old Law are familiar with his wide range of character acting, which he displays in his multiple supporting roles in Minimum Wage. For those who have not yet had the pleasure of witnessing Daussat onstage, his performance in Minimum Wage is a glowing reminder that there is indeed a chance that you, too, will work in the theatre after you graduate.

And did I mention how good the music is? In my experience the music is the last priority for many comedy driven musicals, but this is not the case in Minimum Wage. The tunes are inventive, infectious and wildly fun (perhaps even moreso after a few drinks… that’s right, the performance is BYOB). The very talented composers of Minimum Wage have created a joyous piece which runs the gamut from gaudy to ridiculous and back again—with even a touch of pathos. Oh, and every Saturday night at 10:30 tickets are only ten dollars when you present your student ID. That’s for all of you out there living on minimum wage.


Minimum Wage is no longer running