9 to 5 The Musical Review – Looking for Equality

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The workplace in 1980 vs. #MeToo movement are two different universes.

In 1980, when the original 9-5 became a hit movie, with Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, everyone could relate to the ‘relationships’ between women and their bosses, or, as we used to say, the ‘girls in the office and their male bosses.

Ben Sandomir Jeanine Gangloff Levy – Photo by Rodrigo Balfanz

Certainly the three actresses back ‘ then’ were the prime examples of the different types of personalities of females in the workplace – the well-endowed, aggressive, the ‘one all the guys wanted to sleep with,’ the shy one who never-worked-in-an-office, recently ‘dumped’ by her husband and the widow with a teenage son, who was a mother, father and great worker, and a future CEO in a different time and space.

Laura Hodos & Company – Photo by Rodrigo Balfanz

Doralett (Jeanne Gangloff Levy), Violet (Laura Hodds), Judy (Erica Lustig- who’s proud parents were seated beside me), gave outstanding performances as they played the perfect 1980’s ‘office girls’ transforming their office into a new and groundbreaking operation while chaining their boss to his garage door.  Some may say it was a result of the three ‘girls’ spending a pot-induced evening acting out their own way of killing ‘Mr. Hart (the sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot boss) who Dabney Coleman played to perfection in the movie. But, dreams do come true.

-Jeanine Gangloff Levy– Laura Hodos– Erica Lustig – Photo by Rodrigo Balfanz

An introduction (on film) by Dolly Parton, who wrote all original songs for the film, added to the cuteness of the production as she introduced all the main characters by overhead film.  I am giving a special nod to Cindy Pearce who played Roz, the ‘I would do anything for Mr. Hart secretary’ as she embraced his pictures and did an outstanding job of belting out her undying love with her physical and vocal talents.

The four women stole the show which, unfortunately, overshadowed some of the male roles, specifically Mr. Hart (Ben Sandomir).  To fully appreciate the glorious victory of our female heroines, I would have loved to see a strong, overwhelming, obnoxious, over-the-top Mr. Hart.  Yet, despite this, the music and lead female roles stole the show.

Jill Lustig Laura Hodos Jeaning Gangloff Levy – Photo by Rodrigo Balfanz

Some of the vocal problems may have been a result of the echo of the microphones, which resulted in difficulty in understanding many of the words spoken on stage.

This production reminds us that we have not only come a long, long way, with feminism, womens’ rights and equality in our workplace, but we still strive to achieve the ultimate equal balance.  It’s right around the corner, my friends.

Laure Hodos & Company – Photo by Rodrigo Balfanz

Theatre Company’s production of 9 to 5 stars Laura Hodos (seven-time Carbonell nominee), Erica Lustig (National Tour Hair) and Jeanine Gangloff Levy (Carbonell nominee for her role as Paulette in Slow Burn Theatre Company’s Legally Blonde) with Ben Sandomir as the company’s boss. Other members of this talented cast are Cindy Pierce, Clay Cartland, Stephen Hedger, Chris Alvarez, Jinon Deeb, Nicolette Quintero, Mike Cartwright, Sandi Stock, and Sabrina Gore with an ensemble featuring Jerel Brown, James Giordano, Sahid Pabon, Robert Fritz, Nicole Kinzel, Sara Grant, Kristi Rose Mills, and Alexandra Frost.

Artistic director Patrick Fitzwater stages and choreographs this production of 9 to 5, leading a team comprised of music director Michael Ursua, lighting designer Tom Schorrock, costume designer Rick Peña and sound designer Jeff Lehman.

This production is presented through special arrangement by Music Theatre International MTI and contains some adult language, adult situations, depictions of drug use and loud noises.

Performances are Thursday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. with a performance on Wednesday, April 3, at 1 p.m.

Tickets are $47-60. $25 Student and Teacher tickets are available by choosing STUDENT or TEACHER ticket type. Must be picked up at Will Call on day of the show with valid Student or Teacher ID. Two (2) ticket limit per ID. Ticketmaster is the only official ticketing service of the Broward Center. Buy tickets online at BrowardCenter.org, SlowBurnTheatre.org, or Ticketmaster.com; by phone at 954.462.0222 or in person at the Parker Playhouse box office Tuesday through Saturday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. and at the Broward Center’s AutoNation Box Office.

The Broward Center for the Performing Arts is located in the Riverwalk Arts & Entertainment District at 201 SW Fifth Avenue in Fort Lauderdale.

For more information visit BrowardCenter.org, like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/BrowardCenter, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @BrowardCenter, subscribe to our channel at Youtube.com/user/BrowardCenter and join the conversation with #BrowardCenter.

For more information visit SlowBurnTheatre.org, like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/SlowBurnTheatre, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @SlowBurnTheatre, and join the conversation with #SlowBurnTheatre.

Please note: 9-5 will be running until April 14th

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