Review: 9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL at the Morgan-Wixson Theatre in Santa Monica

In a tale of office management insurrection that shouted #MeToo well ahead of time, 9 to 5 the Musical with Music & Lyrics by Dolly Parton and Book by Patricia Resnick, based on the 20th Century Fox film, centers around the sisterhood of three put-upon female employees seeking revenge on their egotistical, lecherous, misogynistic boss. Its current run at the Morgan-Wixson Theatre in Santa Monica continues through June 7. Directed by Amy Coles, with Music Director Daniel Koh and Choreography by Holly Weber, this hilarious story of friendship and revenge in the Rolodex era is outrageously thought-provoking and cleverly humorous about the push me-pull you ups and downs of office politics and romances.

Violet (Kyrsten Williams) shows office new hire Judy (Angelica Roqué) "Around Here."  Production photos by Joel Castro Photography 

The musical takes place in an office filled with male executives and middle-managers, with female secretaries carrying most of the workload. Without the title she deserves, Violet Newstead (the sensational Kyrsten Williams) is assigned to show the “new girl” Judy Bernly (Angelica Roqué who gains her roof-raising belt as her self-confidence grows) “Around Here” after learning the recently-separated woman has absolutely no office experience but a real desire to learn and find her place as a single woman in the world.

Backed by ensemble members, Doralee (Claire Shepard) performs "Backwoods Barbie."

Soon the two are passed by the curvaceous Doralee Rhodes (Claire Shepard who shines flashing her best Southern swagger during her “Backwoods Barbie” number), who all the other women hate because she has gotten ahead to work directly with the boss, Franklin Hart (Gregg Strouse), based entirely on her good looks and body. But is Doralee really cheating on her handsome and loving husband Dwayne (Antonio Duca), which Hart boasts about to everyone else in the office? Of course not, but the others don’t believe her and shun even having lunch with her.

Claire Shepard, Kyrsten Williams, Angelica Roqué

In a hilarious turn of events after being pushed to the boiling point of their patience, Violet, Judy and Doralee decide to get together after work to enjoy a joint shared with Violet by her son Josh (Evan Simonowitz – a talented 16-year-old, Jesse Eisenberg look-alike), leading the three to share their individual fantasies about how to get rid of their boss. Their three comic numbers set the tone for what is about to happen when the trio agrees to live out their wildest fantasy to take charge of their own lives as well as the entire office.

Claire Shepard, Kyrsten Williams, Gregg Strouse, Angelica Roqué

And while Hart remains “hung up” by the women elsewhere, the women send the nosey office manager Roz Keith (Joan Nelson) whose overwhelming devotion to Hart will make her agree to the “Hart-signed” memo sending her to Denver for a month to study French! Fully in charge of Hart’s office, the trio soon discover two sets of books, proving Hart has been stealing from the company coffers for a long time. But how to compile the evidence to keep Hart quiet about what the women have done to him.

Kyrsten Williams and semble members perform “One of the Boys”

One standout big production number is “One of the Boys” during which Williams’ star-quality is one full display as Violet imagines being an equal with all the men in the office, each dressed in sequins to match the sparkles she dons to shine in the spotlight while singing and dancing with them.

Nathan Correll and Kyrsten Williams

And Williams' emotional range is on full display during a lovely breakroom scene between Violet and accounting office assistant Joe (Nathan Correll) who has been trying to convince her to go out with him. When she finally agrees after he volunteers to go over the books and organize the details of Hart’s embezzling office funds, the two sing the romantic duet "Let Love Grow" in which they both agree to take things slowly and let the burgeoning attraction between them develop naturally.

Violet (Kyrsten Willaims), Doralee (Claire Shepard) and Judy (Angelica Roqué) and ensemble members take charge of the office and their lives.

Meanwhile during the month when Hart and Roz are both away, the women give their workplace a dream makeover, taking control of the company that had always kept them down simply for being female. 

Gregg Strouse, Kyrsten Williams, Steven Didrick and ensemble members

But what happens when Hart and Roz return? Hilarity ensues, especially after Hart’s boss, the President of the Board Tinsworthy (Steven Didrick, who also portrays the appropriately-named Dick, Judy’s soon-to-be ex-husband) shows up and allows the now-confident in their capabilities women to speak up as to what has really been going around in the office to raise the company’s profitability. But will the women finally get their due as the musical ends? See it and find out!

Other talented ensemble members who take on supporting roles include Miguel Chavez, Mady McGraw, Marc Ostroff, Ariella Salinas Fiore, Danielle Montezinos, Eileen Cherry O’Donnell, Myia LaShaun, Ethan Mullen, and Roxy Le Ong.

Due to the depth of the stage, the often too-loud pre-recorded music created hard-to-hear song lyrics and missed jokes. Cole’s staging would greatly benefit by rolling the desks and office scenes closer to the stage apron, as Weber’s lively choreography could then encircle the entire playing area. It’s an on-going problem at the venue, which would benefit greatly by using head mics on cast members during big production musicals.

Doralee (Claire Shepard) imagines what she'd like to do to her boss Hart (Gregg Strouse) during "Gowgirl's Revenge."

The many moveable pieces required to change locations were moved in and out of place by cast members, who often crossed the stage in scene-appropriate costumes (designed by Kristie Mattsson who had her hands full creating hundreds of costumes for the entire production) for no particular reason, it seemed, other than to add reality to the situation being staged.