‘9 to 5: The Musical’ @ The Firehouse Theatre
Photos by Jason Anderson/Pendleton Photography
—Hannah Kneen
The Firehouse Theatre is presenting 9 to 5: The Musical this month, directed by Ally Beans with music direction by Molly Robinson. Based on the famous 1980 movie starring Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda, and Lily Tomlin, this comic stage musical has catchy music and lyrics by Parton (adding songs to go with her movie hit “9 to 5”), and a fun, witty book by Patricia Resnick.
You may be familiar with the story of this show—and if not, you still might be (too?) familiar with the predicaments and complaints of the office workers it revolves around. Violet (Rikki Sushaun), Doralee (Caitlin Martelle), and Judy (Molly Robinson) are three very different women who work for the “sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot” Franklin Hart, Jr. (Preston Isham). Violet is a widowed single mother and has been working for the company for years. However, despite her seniority and good work, Hart treats her like a secretary and passes her up for promotion in favor of a man she trained.
She trains and then befriends Judy, whose husband Dick (Tucker Souther) just left her for his young secretary. Judy has absolutely no work experience, which gives her trouble as she acclimates to an office environment. Doralee is shunned by the rest of the staff, including Violet (and Judy to an extent), because they believe her to be having an affair with Hart. In fact, Hart has been making moves on Doralee, harassing her and spreading rumors about their false affair around the office.
Things take a turn when these three women become unlikely friends as a result of their shared hatred of Hart—and a shared joint. They bond qluickly, fantasizing about what they might do to take revenge on Hart. And the next day one of those fantasies comes to life—and too close to reality. The threesome will have to deal with the consequences. But getting the chance to take control of the office while their boss is…occupied…is a dream come true, and too good to pass up.
All the way through the show, watching the ladies gain confidence and learn how to scheme was a joy. There were solid performances all around. Rikki Sushaun nailed Violet’s deadpan humor and no-nonsense attitude. Molly Robinson as Judy stood out for her voice and growing self-oconfidence as her character developed. She was also especially fun to watch when the three women got stoned together. Caitlin Martelle’s Doralee was impossible to dislike. I particularly enjoyed the part where she waved her pink pistol at Hart and threatened she would “turn [him] from a rooster into a hen with one shot.”
And their strong performances were met by equally strong from their antagonists—the “baddies” of the show. Preston Isham played a Franklin Hart Jr. who was extremely fun to hate. Lisette Sandoval Perez played Roz, the sycophantic, eavesdropping administrative assistant who has an obsessive crush on Hart. Her performance of the song “Hart to Heart”—in which she confesses these feelings for her boss—was hilarious and a pleasure to hear. And all the smaller parts had time to shine as well, sprinkling humor throughout the show.
Aside from the minor sound problems that crop up with most musicals at some point or another, the technical aspects of the show were smooth. Kelsey Jordan Ward’s choreography wasn’t super-fancy but clean and well-executed—which I think is much better for a show than something elaborate that isn’t done well. The scenic design by Logan Uhtenwoldt and Maggie Sproul, the lighting by Destini Spraggins, and the costumes by Dayna Dutton built up the world of the play nicely.
Director Ally Beans has pulled together a strong show that is both gratifying and amusing to watch. Take a break from your own 9 to 5 life and step into this one—it’s much more fun.
WHEN: April 4 - 21, 2024
WHERE: The Firehouse Theatre, 2535 Valley View Lane, Farmers Branch TX
WEB: thefirehousetheatre.com
