Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5 The Musical” is a broad, slapstick look at feminine revenge against male-sexualized office domination.
Never in the history of chauvinism, was it so much fun watching a manipulative and leering boss get his comeuppance.
The large, opening-night audience Tuesday in Savannah Center reveled with laughter and cheers for the local cast of “9 to 5.” The crowd enjoyed watching three women turn the tables on Mister Big Shot. The musical runs Wednesday and Thursday at 2 and 7 p.m.
Deborah Gibbons as Violet; Sherry Mistler as Doralee and Pinky Bigley as Judy played their roles to the hilt. And Garry Gibbons as the boss in perpetual heat (Mr. Hart), did some serious scenery chewing.
They can’t come close to the 1980 film version that starred Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Dolly Parton, who wrote the songs and lyrics. But this Smash Productions version — directed by Bob Stehman and produced by Susan Feinberg – hit a fun groove. The songs and choreography add up to an entertaining evening.
Dawn DiNome Wetzel as Roz and John Kase as Joe, shined in supporting roles. Mary Ann Rockenbach directed a live band, which enhanced the music. Barbara Byers did the choreography.
Deborah Gibbons plays a single mom, stuck in an office payroll that considers women second-class citizens. Gibbons displays a toughness and determination to fight the power.
She hits the high notes on “Shine Like the Sun,” and displays a tender side on a romantic duet with John Kase on “Let Love Grow.”
Sherry Mistler offers a Dolly Parton tribute. She talks and sings with Dolly’s accent, and has a comedic way of keeping the boss’ attention to her physical attributes.
But Doralee is determined to rise above the sexist definition. She makes it clear when she sings: “I’m just a backwoods Barbie/Too much make-up, too much hair/Don’t be fooled by thinkin’ that the goods are not all there.”
Mistler as Doralee whips through another number “Cowgirl’s Revenge.” She treats the bossman like a broken bull at a rodeo.
“Wait, is it because I’m a sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot?,” Garry Gibbons wails while being tied up to a fence.
“Darn tootin’/Time for you to fry/Yodeloodlooo,” Mistler sings in a nasty twang.
Pinky Bigley stakes her own independence, belting “Get Out and Stay Out,” a show-stopper in the second act. She tosses out her divorced husband and keeps the boss all tied up.
It’s a major challenge to tackle a musical like “9 to 5” when so many remember the film.
“It’s an iconic movie,” Director Bob Stehman said before the play started. He added that “this talented cast” meets the goal of recreating the atmosphere and mood of the movie.
Dolly Parton was a part of it.
The musical began with a video of Dolly on a screen projected on stage. She tells the audience the play takes place in the late “70s,” a time before “computers and cell phones.”
It was, however, a time when women office workers fought for better pay, working conditions and against sexual harassment.
Times have changed, but the battle goes on. As Doralee sings: “They can’t keep us down/ Ain’t no way/We’ll just rise above it.”
Tony Violanti writes about music and entertainment for Villages-News.com. He was inducted into The Buffalo Music Hall of Fame as a music journalist.