THE WATER COOLERS   Role: Man #1   Production Info: September 29, 2000 @ The Producer’s Club Created by: Thomas Michael Allen

The Water Coolers was a unique industrial project that I helped launch in the fall of 2000. Tom and Sally Allen, a creative couple that merge the worlds of performing and business in their day-to-day lives, came up with the idea to have a performing group that would humorously send-up (in scene and song) the realities of the office workplace. Over a three-week rehearsal period, we five fearless performers brought their wonderful ideas to life, culminating in a one-night-only performance event. The show has since toured the country (appearing at various corporate parties and events) and received its Off-Broadway debut! Click on this link to read more information about The Water Coolers.

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QUICKTIME MOVIE: “Water Coolers Montage” (1.7 MB) (To view this montage or other film clips on this page, visit the Quicktime site to download the free software)

QUICKTIME MOVIE: “Casual Friday” (2.9 MB) Here’s a witty look at how distorted the concept of “Casual Friday” has become these days.

QUICKTIME MOVIE: “Missing Persons” (2.4 MB) This song, near the end of the show, cleverly describes the many sacrifices people make for their jobs on a daily basis.

Mary Lee Graffeo, Gaelen Gilliland and I in a photo clip from The Water Coolers official website.

Gaelen Gilliland consults the daily paper for some sound advice.

Ted Anderson (as Willie Nelson) sings “To All the Jobs [He’s] Left Before.”

“In Windows 2525” (with Tom Allen and Ted Anderson) explores the future of the Microsoft monopoly.

 
 

Gaelen Gilliland, composer David Nehls, Mary Lee Graffeo, and choreographer Caroline Liadakis enjoying the five-minute-break in the best way possible - sitting down!

Our fearless Stage Manager Mimi pulling it all together at the last minute.

Producers Tom and Sally Allen gearing up for the big presentation.

The Water Coolers chillin’ out in style . . . in the dressing room.

Gaelen Gilliland takes a moment in front of the mirror to get ready for the cameras!

Mary Lee Graffeo, playing the power woman to the hilt, gets a little sassy backstage.

Ted Anderson takes a moment backstage to check the props.

The multifaceted Tom Allen wears many hats, but now it’s time to go onstage!

 
 

. . . from Fred Grandy, former US Congressman and CEO, Goodwill Industries   “The Water Coolers have got the American workplace nailed. The hassles, head-trips, and hook-ups of our modern corporate culture are all captured in songs that are funny, lyrical, and dead on. Move over, Microsoft. The Water Coolers have a new office suite we've got to install.”

. . . from Ian Doherty, Associate Art Director, Home Magazine   “I laughed so hard my cheeks hurt…Like a cross between Dilbert and Forbidden Broadway.”

. . . from Nancy McKay, Vice President of Sales, Clinique   “It was fantastic. I want to hire them for the sales meeting. They captured so many things that are so real in an office and it was funny.”

. . . from Alicia Duran, Vice President of Research, Merrill Lynch   “I love the show. I’ve worked for a small start up company in middle America and now I’m on Wall Street and I think the show appeals to that whole spectrum of companies and workers.”

. . . from Shari Krikorian, Director, E-Commerce, MasterCard, International   “It was super, I loved it. The ideas were brilliant, they really cut to the core of this office dynamic that I live every day. The talent was incredible.”

. . . from Jim McBride, Associate Attorney, Schulte, Roth, Zabel, LLP   “I thought it was great, it really rang true. I’ve had a lot of experience in the banking world and insurance before I became an attorney and all the things that happen in the firm were reflected, the sort of paranoia, the narcissism, the fear – but they make you laugh at it and that’s the great thing.”

. . . from Richard McKay, Project Manager, Davis, Brody, Bond Architects   “I loved it. On Monday I’m going to have to go look for microphones because I think you all have been in my office. It’s what I live everyday with better singing and dancing, but it’s really what I live everyday.”