Milt Thomas

9 to 5 has hit for the cycle as they say in the baseball world – first a hit movie and hit song in 1980, then a hit TV show in 1982, and a hit musical (9 to 5: The Musical) in 2009. I have now seen every version, and this one, in many ways is a home run!

Why? First of all, because the story resonates today as it did back then in the late ‘70s, about a misogynous boss who relegates all females to the secretarial pool. It’s live – not only the story, but live on stage, complete with a live band and a troop of 20 actors singing and dancing their way into the audience’s collective heart. You leave the theater exhilarated in a way that seeing a movie or watching a TV show cannot match. All of that goes to making this your “Don’t miss” hit, especially since it is the last show of the season.

I’ve always been a Dolly Parton fan of her music (and Dollywood). But I didn’t realize until seeing 9 to 5: The Musical that Parton wrote all songs in the show. Industry veteran screenwriter/producer, Patricia Resneck, wrote the book.

For those who might not be familiar with the story, the opening scene is in a large secretarial pool, where Judy Bernly (played by Emily Fink, Jane Fonda’s part in the hit movie version) shows up for her first day at work. She has never worked in an office and possesses not a single office skill but she needs the job. Violet Newstead (played by Stacia Fernandez, Lili Tomlin in the movie), takes Judy under her wing and trains her in job skills along with pointers on how to survive life in the office. Judy meets the misogynist boss, Franklin Hart (Ken Swandberg, Dabney Coleman in the movie), who can’t take his eyes or hands off the pert, well-developed Doralee Rhodes (Kathlynn Rodin and Dolly Parton in the movie). Doralee tries to avoid Hart’s lecherous advances, while Violet endures his demeaning view of her and all the office “girls.”  

But Hart does have one female supporter though, the pint-sized spunky Roz (played by Kathy St. George, acting veteran Elizabeth Wilson in the movie). Roz/St. George almost steals the show in one sequence with her over the top admiration for Hart.

Judy, Violet and Doralee have had enough of Hart’s arrogant, demeaning behavior and eventually come up with a plot to exact their revenge that leaves Hart very high strung and his female staff high on their future.

Of course, this is a musical, so the show opens with an office-themed song and dance performance to the hit song, “9 to 5,” involving all 20 cast members. Violet begins Judy’s education on office politics (“Around Here”). She meets the corporate slime ball Hart (“Here for You”) but quickly forms a bond with Violet and Doralee (“I Just Might”). A total of 17 songs and dance numbers move the story line forward, which follows the original movie’s delightful blend of humor, love, social commentary and sweet revenge.

As mentioned above, Parton wrote all the songs in this show.  She began life in Tennessee as a sharecropper’s daughter, born fourth of 11 children. She started writing songs – initially for other artists, eventually for herself – and went on to great success in music, business and her own theme park!

The three lead female characters each have ample opportunity to show their extraordinary vocal range. Rodin captures Dolly’s looks as well as her voice. You will almost believe she is Dolly, or at least channeling her.

The musicians once again prove they are true professionals, with Music Director Milton Granger in his first appearance at Riverside doing an outstanding job. That goes for all the technical crew and backstage personnel.

Anyone who enjoys musical theater – or simply loves music – will want to see 9 to 5: The Musical. It is playing at Riverside Theatre through May 10, with evening and matinee performances. Tickets are  available at the Box Office (772) 231-6990, or online at riversidetheatre.com.