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Book by Patricia Resnick
Director: Ally Beans
Music Director: Molly Robinson
Produced by Firehouse Theatre
Audience Rating: PG-13
Running Time: Just under 2hr 30mins
Accessible Seating: Available
Hearing Devices: Unknown
Sensory Friendly Showing: Not Available
ASL Performance: Not Available
Volume Level: Comfortable
Noises and Visuals to Prepare For: Proximity to lighting may affect patrons.
Reviewed by Juan M. Perez
I was lucky enough to punch out of my own “9 to 5” and got myself down to The Firehouse Theatre in Farmers Branch and trust me, you need to do the exact same thing!
You may remember the 20th Century Fox Picture featuring Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda, and Lily Tomlin, but when you walk out of The Firehouse, you’re going to be talking about Rikki Sushaun, Molly Robinson, and Caitlin Martelle. These three women not only take on these roles but make all three of them their own! Their presence on stage draws your attention, their voices make the music jump off the page, and the comedy chops make this trio a Triple Deck Triple Threat! Anytime actors take on roles that have such memorable Stars play them in the past, most people will have those names in mind. This talented trio make sure that they are what you think of when someone asks about this 9 to 5.
Rikki’s understanding of Violet shines through from her first moment as the single mom, to running the office, to heading the changes in the office. An incredible range of emotion, humor, and heart just make you love her from start to finish. Rikki should be running every dysfunctional office I’ve ever worked in. Molly as Judy starts off unsure of how to make it in the working world post breakup but becomes the strong independent woman that made me think of the Madeleine Albright quote, “It took me quite a long time to develop a voice, and now that I have it, I am not going to be silent”. And Caitlin’s portrayal of Doralee deserves every “Doralee for President” vote that is cast, with her powerhouse voice, perfect accent, and good-natured heart, she’s one of the best Doralee actresses that I’ve seen & one that Dolly has truly inspired.
If there was ever a time that three women needed to put a man in his place, it was when we met Franklin Hart, Jr. played impeccably by Preston Isham. If you’re not familiar with him, well…he’s the guy you enjoy watching get what’s coming to him. Preston has a great voice of his own which is shown off in Here for You. He was gross, offensive, brutish, and egotistical…so basically, he nailed it. For me, what really stood out to me was his willingness to be all smarmy and despicable, but still retain a lot of what makes him stand out on DFW stages. We hate Franklin the way we also hate Delores Umbridge, but not Imelda Staunton.
The entire cast was less than 20 in number, but you could have told me there were 30 people on that stage and I would have believed you. A few other notables that stood out to me were Lisette Sandoval-Perez (Roz), Lucas Haupert (Joe), Amy Parsons (Margaret). Each of these performers really brought a different layer to the show that fit perfectly with the story overall. The intensity of devotion of Lisette, the heart and caring of Lucas, and the “Carol Burnett” level of comedy from Amy just made each of them a joy to watch on stage in their scenes. Every member of the ensemble brought their individual roles to life in a way that they could all shine in their moments.
I really enjoyed the way scene changes were handled with everyone pitching in, they felt very quick and fluid. Helped in part by Evan Taiclet & Meghan MacLellan who danced though the transitions telling their own story in between. The costumes from Dayna Dutton played a role of their own bringing so much color, texture, and excitement to each person! If the 70s ever make a fashion comeback, Dayna needs to be leading the charge. Kelsey Jordan Ward’s choreography was very well executed using the whole space and making it feel much larger than it was. My favorite sequence included all three of the stories from the girls after their afternoon with Mary Jane. Ally Beans did a great job with the direction, crafting multiple stories without clunkiness, which can be tricky for some. The way each flowed from one to the other without being distracting really helped keep the pace of the show moving. Her deft eye at using every inch of space and drawing out the best in every cast member really made the final product one you do not want to miss.
The full ensemble, production crew, and executive team should be excited about their production. 9 to 5 is a smash hit and you’ll be sorry if you miss it. Nestled in a great part of Farmers Branch, you can get a bite to eat and drink at the nearby establishment that shares a partnership with the theatre featuring themed drinks for the production. You’ll have the music stuck in her head, laughing for hours after, and recounting the characters repeatedly. The Firehouse Theatre delivers again & more importantly Dolly Parton would be proud. 9 to 5 continues through April 12. Tickets are available at thefirehousetheatre.com
Please Take Your Seats,
Juan M. Perez
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