9 to 5, The Musical – Courtesy of MEG & Associates, Used with permission
9 to 5 the1980 comedy film starring Jane Fonda, Dolly Parton, Lilly Tomlin and Dabney Coleman is now regarded as a high point of American popular culture. For many, the movie which tells the story of three workers who live out their fantasies of getting even with and overthrowing their company’s autocratic, “sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot” vice president is a lighthearted feminist manifesto.
Abigail Storm in “9 to 5, The Musica” – Courtesy of MEG & Associates, Used with permission
9 to 5, The Musical, with music and lyrics by Parton and book by Patricia Resnik is based on the film. Now entertainment icon, Parton became a mainstream star because of appearing in the movie. 9 to 5, The Musical, based on the film of the same name, opened on Broadway in September 2009 and closed later that month. Currently Actors Theatre of Indiana presents its production of the musical at The Studio Theatre, its home at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts through May 11. I attended the opening night performance Saturday.
Deftly directed by actor Suzanne Fleenor, Ginger Stoltz is music director, and Carol Worcel is the choreographer of the production. Starring in the show is ATI co-founder and artistic director Judy Fitzgerald as Violet Newstead, Devan Mathias as Judy Barrley, Abigail Storm as Doralee Rhodes, J. Stuart Mill as Franklin Hart, Jr. and Cynthia Collins as Roz Keith.
AStanding out for both her acting and vocal talents, was Storm as Doralee, the role that Parton made famous. Mill delivered an excellent performance in the Colemon;s role of the smarmy, Hart, while Cynthia Collins highlighted her talent for physical comedy as Roz Klein, the office gossip queen who harbors an unreciprocated affection for her supervisor, Hart.
Cynthia Collins in “9 to 5, The Musica” l – Courtesy of MEG & Associates, Used with permission
Except for the title song 9 to 5 sung by the ensemble, Backwoods Barbie sung by Storm and 5 to 9 performed by Collins, the remainder of the score was derivative, formulaic and mostly unmemorable. Despite its banality, it was flawlessly played by Stoltz’s seasoned seven-piece band positioned on a catwalk above the stage.
Responsible for the high caliber of the show’s production elements is the creative team of Lighting Designer Duntin Bruckman, Scenic Designer Jay Gantz, Costume Designer Gay Clark, Sound Designer Olivia Lawson and Wig and Make-up Designer Drew Bryson.
Deserving of further praise is Fleenor, assisted by Stage Manager Duane McDevitt, Stage Manager assistant Kayla Richardson and the actors, for the masterful execution of complicated transitions that required the office setting to move on and off stage efficiently throughout the fast- paced show. They were as choreographed as the Worcel’s spritely production numbers.
For tickets to 9-5, The Musical visit thecenterpresents.org.
