Bellevue Little Theater debuted their not so little production of “9 to 5: the Musical” on April 12. The high-energy musical brought the challenges of women in the workplace in the late ‘70s to the spotlight with gags, humor and harmony.
“9 to 5 the Musical,” directed by Joey Hartshorn, follows the journey of three resilient women — Violet (Heather Wilhelm), Doralee (Analisa Swerczek), and Judy (Mackenzie Zielke) — who navigate the daily grind in the secretarial pool at Consolidated Companies under the tyrannical rule of their “lying, sexist, hypocritical, pig” boss, Mr. Hart, played by Thomas Stoysich.
The production, which included video narration by the original Dorallee, Dolly Parton, paid homage to the classic 1980 film in a way that only Dolly could. The women had unmistakable chemistry, and their harmonies were goosebump-inducing.
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Swerczek held nothing back in her performance of Doralee, just as Dolly would. Her voice carried through the theater with every musical number, boasting a southern twang and sassy backwoods attitude. Throughout the performance, she transforms from a lonely misunderstood secretary to an office confidant and trusted friend to many.
Her portrayal of real-life women’s issues of sexual harassment in the workplace was done in a humorous, yet, sadly realistic way, with up-skirts and unsolicited advances matched with kidnapping and hogties.
Judy is the butterfly of the production. She enters the workplace as a tightly wound, wounded woman in a cocoon of her own making. As the production unfolds, the audience sees Judy’s metamorphosis into an independent woman through friendship, empowerment and newly found opportunity.
Zielke is a picture-perfect casting of the role. In the opening scene, her likeness to Jane Fonda’s portrayal is unmistakable, and with the blue hat and neck scarf it’s nearly jarring.
Violet, the competent office manager and widow, finally receives the recognition she’s been pining for, in a way that’s far from the usual. Wilhelm wowed in “Agnes of God” earlier this year at The Bellevue Little Theatre, and showed her range as both a dramatic, comedic and musical performer.
As the production unfolded, the audience was drawn into Violet’s gripping feud with Mr. Hart and his loyal lackey, Roz, culminating in a rousing climax where the women took charge and showed their true strength. Violet’s show-stopping number in Act II exuded an energetic confidence reminiscent of Liza Minelli, leaving the audience cheering for more.
Through spellbinding dream sequences, the audience becomes immersed in the three women’s fantasies of what they must do to escape the toxic environment created by Mr. Hart. Through costuming and theater magic, the play is transported into an enchanted Disney-esque forest, a wild west rodeo, and a 1920s mob scene.
Stoysich’s portrayal of the chauvinistic Mr. Hart was as spot-on as it was revolting. After being hog-tied, hung from a garage door opener, and embarrassed in front of his superiors, he’s just one strike of lightning away from getting what he deserves.
The sets, which were sponsored by Bellevue University, were well thought out and designed, with Mr. Harts’s office donning the essence of hyper-masculinity with animal heads, various dated sports trophies, and a giant self-portrait of the resident egomaniac above his desk.
The Bellevue Little Theatre has consistently raised the bar for what to expect from a community theater. With ticket prices as cheap as a ticket to a movie, there’s no excuse to not give the theater a chance, after your 9 to 5 of course.
Bellevue Little Theatre is located at 203 W. Mission Ave.”9 to 5: The Musical” will show over three weekends and conclude on Sunday, April 28. Showtimes are at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and at 2 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are available at theblt.org.