The Aliquippa and Langley high school musicals opening tonight demonstrate how different shows can be and still call themselves musicals.

At Aliquippa High School, "Working" is a celebration of the working life that coincides with the city's centennial celebration.

It wasn't long after she chose the musical "Working" that director Yolanda Meade realized how well the theme of the show would tie in to Aliquippa's 100th birthday.

Based on Studs Terkel's interviews with workers across the nation, "Working" celebrates the ups and downs of the working life from viewpoints of a waitress, a schoolteacher, an executive and a mill worker.

Stephen Schwartz, writer of "Godspell," "Wicked" and Disney's "Pocahontas," worked on the music and lyrics along with pop songwriter James Taylor and others.

This is Ms. Meade's first year directing the musical, although she has assisted the music department director Rob D'Angelo for several years. She said Aliquippa audiences would identify with the hard-working characters in the musical, especially this year, as the area celebrates its contribution to the Industrial Revolution and the growth of steelmaking.

"This musical will remind people they have something to point to. It's about being proud of what they've built," she said, adding the show will include a multimedia presentation of photos Ms. Meade has taken of Aliquippa residents doing various jobs.

Ms. Meade said the 12-member cast does an especially good job of the numbers "If I Coulda Been," "All the Livelong Day" and "Nobody Tell Me How."

"Working" stars Elizabeth Havey, Charles Forrester, Kiara Barton, Antoine Myers, Kevin Moore, Lauren Woods, Renia Owens, Cassandra Hines, Ashton Williams, Nicole Goosby, Lazette Lee, Teonna Josey and Kevin Newton.

At Langley, it's a fond and silly look back at the 1980s with "Back to the 80s."

Director Nancy Addy said she let her students persuade her to do "Back to the 80s: The Totally Awesome Musical."

"I wasn't sure about it," she said, "but the kids were excited about the show, and that has made all the difference."

"Back to the 80s" takes its cue from the popular "Back to the Future" films of the '80s, as 30-something Corey Palmer flashes back to his senior year of high school and his love for cute girl Tiffany Houston. The show features more than 20 original hits from the '80s, including Wham's "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go," Bon Jovi's "You Give Love a Bad Name" and Madonna's "Material Girl."

"It's all the music people know," said Mrs. Addy. "These kids' parents are going to have a ball."

Mrs. Addy said her students made an effort to ensure the show was accurate for its time period. "One of our girls went to an 80s dance site, and others studied old-school music videos for clues about costumes."

She added they've got neon-bright sets, a disco ball and "fishnet stockings for the layered look," although some costume items were difficult to find. "Who has a Members Only jacket anymore?"

All her students have worked hard on the show, said Mrs. Addy, but she singled out Tymesia Brown, who plays English teacher Miss Sheena Brannigan and acted as the production's student director. "She worked herself to the bone," she said, "and it's really made a difference to the show."

"Back to the 80s" also stars Ashlie Brown as Tiffany Houston, Frank Hammond as nerd Feargal McGerrigan, Rich Wilson as older Corey, Josh Igims as younger Corey, Alex Cronin as teacher, Mr. Cocker, and Chris Jones as bad guy, Michael Feldman.