Office shenanigans—good and not so good—will be on display when Antigo Community Theatre presents 9 to 5: The Musical’’ beginning Friday.
The troupe’s fall production will run Friday through Sunday and repeat next Thursday through Saturday, all at Antigo High School’s Volm Theater.
9 to 5: The Musical,’’ features music and lyrics by Dolly Parton and book by Patricia Resnick and is based on the 1980 hit movie of the same name.
Set in the 70s, the musical opens up on a typical day at Consolidated Industries. Violet Newstead, played by Darlaen Jansen, is the lead secretary and meets Judy Bernly, portrayed by Peg Benes, who’s first day at work is trying to figure out the Xerox copy machine.
Judy has no confidence as she has re-entered the workforce after her husband, Dick, acted by Cavan Kelly, has left her for a younger woman. Judy confides in Violet that she really needs this job as she is now out on her own. Violet takes Judy under her wing to help her and shows her around the office.
They meet Doralee Rhodes, acted by Rebecca Stimac, a secretary for Franklin Hart Jr., the company president, played by Billy Roff, in the break room. Doralee, is pretty, curvacious and has a lot of confidence. Her problem is with Mr. Hart, as he is an arrogant, sexiest, and a hypocritical boss, as he’s constantly pestering her with unwanted advances. Hart is married to a sweet but naive woman, Missy Hart, played Heather Roff, and Doralee is happily married to her husband, Dwayne, portrayed by Dennis Klement, who is fully supportive of her career.
The three gals meet up the next day in the break room and all three have had unsettling run-ins with Mr. Hart. They leave for lunch to blow off steam about their workplace environment and more importantly their disdain for Mr. Hart. Later that evening, they each fantasize about getting revenge and come up with a scheme to oust him. From this point on the story takes lots of humorous bends and turns.
The cast also includes a member of the office staff, is Miss Know-It-All’’ Roz Keith, portrayed by Jodi Louwasama, who is constantly snooping around. To add to the subplots a young accountant, Joe, acted by Chad Luerssen, is interested romantically in Violet, who is juggling work and home as a single parent of a teenage son, Josh, acted by Brennon Brown.
The rest of the cast is rounded out by Cavan Kelly, as the detective, with Bob Lomprey playing the Chairman of the Board, Tinsworthy, Wayne Gagnon portrays Bob Enright and the doctor. The office pool of secretaries includes Leigh Brown as Margret, Lorra Mettko as Kathy, Sara Wurtinger as Maria, Anna Purdun as Molly, and Brugandy Brockman playing the New Girl.’’
The musical is under the artistic direction of Molly Gums, with Hannah Oxley directing the vocals and Carol Schaefer as the show’s accompanist; Elyse Snider rounds out the directors with taking charge of the choreography.
All performances are at 7:30 p.m. except for the Sunday matinee at 1 p.m.
Tickets are available at Neves Floors to Go, Furniture and Mattress Gallery, 710 Fifth Ave., 715-623-5203. Tickets are $10 in advance and at the door. Due to adult theme this show is not recommended for children under the age of 13.
The cast of 9 to 5: The Musical at dress rehearsal Monday night.
The show opens Friday.