The Totem Pole Playhouse is shining a neon light on its 75th anniversary season in Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5,” which opened Friday evening in the woods at Caledonia State Park.
Adapted from the 1980 hit movie starring Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Dolly Parton, the musical — with book by Patricia Resnick and music and lyrics by Parton — was nominated for more than a dozen Drama Desk Awards and four Tony awards after a brief Broadway run in 2009.
Its theme song was also nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Song the year following the film’s debut. And though Parton didn’t win for “9 to 5” then, this November she will accept an honorary Academy Award for her charity work promoting literacy.
Directed here by Ryan B. Gibbs and David Hemsley Caldwell (with music direction by Darren Server), the stage musical easily steps up to deliver sweet summertime entertainment in a full evening of beautiful vocals, classy dance performances (choreographed by Cody Smith), and razzmatazz knockabout comedy.
Its lighting (designed by Gibbs and Sam Sims) and sound (Kate Wecker) are dramatic, and Tom Ryan’s scenic design is lovely.
Based on Costume Design by Prather Entertainment Group — and additionally designed by Elizabeth Angelozzi with assistance from Taylor Vanaman — the costumes are (in appropriate scenes) spectacular.
The Playhouse’s creative team’s smooth tech and this cast’s excellent solo/ensemble performances glow in step with almost 20 lively musical numbers that spin a high-energy tale of three downtrodden women embarking on a comic quest for revenge.
Their story is set in 1979. At its beginning, Violet (played by Amy Decker), Doralee (Allie Seibold), and Judy (Hannah Taylor) begin their day and head to work in a rousing performance of the theme song before arriving at their fictional workplace.
Violet, the overlooked senior office supervisor who aspires to be the first female CEO, takes newly divorced and self-effacing Judy under her wing. The buxom Doralee struggles to overcome being ostracized by the other secretaries and is sexually harassed by their boss (Billy Clark Taylor in a lead role as Franklin Hart, Jr.). A personable young accountant (Michael Santora as Joe) makes a play for Violet, but she rebuffs the younger man’s respectful attentions. And the office spy and Hart’s sycophant (Taylor Whidden as Roz) reveals her obsessive love for the handsome villain in this story.
If the lead actors weren’t so adept, Whidden’s hilarious performances of “Heart to Heart” in Act 1 and “5 to 9” in Act 2 might well have stolen the show on Opening Night. But the actors playing Violet, Judy, and Doralee perform their roles as winningly as Hart’s sidekick in an outstanding production across the board.
All the supporting and ensemble actors perform their roles well. The nonstop, stylishly choreographed scene changes (not to mention Smith’s crisp dance choreography) they execute are feats of visual showmanship in themselves.
Taylor is also quite believable as the misogynistic Hart — a villain that everyone loves to hate. After he continually disrespects Judy, once again denies Violet a well-deserved promotion, and ruins Doralee’s reputation by spreading a lie that they are having an affair; the three heroines slip off to Violet’s house to plot their revenge.
There they indulge in a little “mar-uh-WAH-na” and fantasize about getting even with Hart. Sharing those fantasies while high — Judy is a glittering female fatale (“Dance of Death”), Doralee a wild rodeo star (“Cowgirl’s Revenge”), and Violet a deranged Snow White (“Potion Notion”) — will ultimately lead to a real-life takeover of the company.
The costumes are particularly eye-catching in this scene, especially in “Potion Notion”— a visual smorgasbord of colors performed by Violet and accompanied by larger-than-life fantasy fairy tale characters.
By Act 2, Hart is trussed up and held prisoner in his home while the trio runs the company in his name through a serious of forged memos. They send Roz to an extended seminar to avoid being exposed and implement liberal employee benefits — unheard of then but not as uncommon today — that result in increased productivity and happy employees.
But the heyday appears doomed when a plot twist or two threatens to expose their subterfuge and land the women in prison. Enter the CEO (Ken Griggs on Opening Night) in a resolution that will determine if the heroines can prevail and whether the villain will get his just rewards.
The “9 to 5” musical may seem like a fluffy presentation of serious themes about workplace equality and female empowerment. But behind the laughter, it should ring poignant to anyone who’s lived through the second wave of feminism in the seventies or experienced sexual discrimination and harassment since.
Ever present during the show —not just in her recorded pre- and post-show messages but in her lyrical voice — Dolly Parton does not call herself a feminist. But “9 to 5” is widely considered a feminist anthem. And feminist advocate Jennifer Aniston is currently producing a remake of the film with Parton’s approval.
Totem Pole Playhouse’s delightful stage production may sell out quickly. On Opening Night, Artistic Director Ryan B. Gibbs announced that it has already broken the theater’s group sales record.
“9 to 5” continues through July 6 at The Totem Pole Playhouse, Caledonia State Park, 9555 Golf Course Rd, Fayetteville. Performances are at 2 p.m. on June 22, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29 and July 1, 2, 3, 5, 6; and 7:30 pm on June 25, 26, 28 and July 2, 3, 5. All seats cost $55 excepting groups of 10 or more or juniors (age 5-15) and students (age 16-22). Call the box office, (717)-352-2154, ext. 1 for those discounts. For more information and to purchase general admission tickets online, visit https://totempoleplayhouse.org.
The supporting and ensemble role credits include: Missy (played by Maria Albani), Doralee’s sweet husband, Dwayne (William Butler), CEO Tinsworthy/Detective (Ken Griggs on Opening Night), CEO Tinsworthy/Detective (Mike Krikorian), the boozy Margarette (Becky Grace Kalman), a secretary (Carly Paige Lafferty), Maria (Camila V. Romero), the personable young accountant, Joe (Michael Santora), Hart’s golden boy, Bob (Dennis Setteducati), Ensemble Member (Adam Shank), Kathy (Korri Slamans), Judy’s obnoxious ex-husband, Dick (Taylor Kellas Warren) and Violet’s son, Josh (Charlie Wingert).
Photo by Andy Smetzer.
Saw the afternoon production yesterday, it was wonderful, love the music, acting was superb, and the scene changes were magickal. I would go see it again, and recommend for every age group. Fun with plenty of laughs too! Good job Totem Pole playhouse!