Review: 3-D Theatricals' 9 TO 5: THE MUSICAL is One Big Musical Treat

3-D Theatricals' 9 to 5 The Musical plays Redondo Performing Arts Center Friday March 1 - Sunday March 3 after a critically acclaimed run at Plummer Auditorium in Fullerton

directed by T.J. Dawson

choreographed by Linda Love Simmons

What an extreme pleasure to see 3-D Theatricals grow over the past three years into a major force on the musical comedy theatrical scene in greater Los Angeles. Based in Orange County, the group headed by artistic director T.J. Dawson is mounting 9 to 5 The Musical every bit as deliciously as the original, with all the excitement that accompanies a Broadway-style musical. Dawson directs a stupendous ensemble, and the production should not be missed through this Sunday March 3 only at Redondo Performing Arts Center, Redondo Beach.

Violet, Doralee and Judy are played beautifully by Cynthia Ferrer, Ruby Lewis and Beth Malone respectively. No one could ask for better performances, as they nail the characters to perfection. And...all three sing divinely. Versatile Tamara Zook is perfectly cast as Roz, the secretary that lives to serve Franklin Hart. Her "Heart to Hart" is sexually seething and hilariously drole. Hart is played with fierce, ferocious machismo by Christopher Guilmet. Other praiseworthy performances include Justin Michael Wilcox as Joe, Ciaran McCarthy as Dwayne and essaying other smaller roles, Amy Glinskas as the very funny alcoholic office worker Margaret, David Kirk Grant as the appropriately named Dick and Arthur L. Ross for some terrific moves in between scenes. Linda Love Simmons's choreography is fast and furious and Dawson's cinematic staging superb, covering every inch of the huge Redondo stage. Sets by Robert A. Kovach, costumes by Shannon Smith, lighting design by Jean-Yves Tessier and sound design by John Feinstein are all top-notch, making the show soar to the rafters.

9 to 5 The Musical is not an easy show to pull off for its fast-paced momentum never lets down, requiring 150% energy, drive, stamina and ultra-talent from the entire ensemble.Well, this production is utterly outstanding with one of the best ensembles I have seen on a local musical stage, putting 3-D Theatricals on a par with Musical Theatre West in Long Beach and making them one of the top musical production companies to currently beat on the LA theatre scene. I cannot wait for their next production Jason Robert Brown's brilliant Parade which opens exclusively in Fullerton on May 10.

http://www.3dtshows.com/3-dtheatricals.html