FRIDAY 5 (+1): The Leading Ladies of CFTA's 9 to 5: THE MUSICAL

Opening tonight at Murfreesboro's Center for the Arts is 9 to 5: The Musical, the Broadway musical by Dolly Parton and Patricia Resnick, based upon the hit movie in which Parton played Doralee, a buxom, down-home kind of gal. Directed by Matthew Hayes Hunter, with choreography by Kate Adams-Kramer and musical direction by Emily Dennis, the show features a stunning trio of leading ladies - played by Katie Hahn, Mary Ellen Smith and Memory Strong-Smith - and an ensemble filled with local favorites, including two Matt Smiths, one married to Mary Ellen, the other married to Memory. Keep your programs handy to keep names and faces in order!

Today, the three actresses take on our Friday 5 (+1) and explain why you should be making your reservations yesterday! Read on...

Katie Hahn, Doralee

What was your first "live, onstage" experience? My first onstage moment of theatre was Fame the musical my freshman year of high school! It was then that I realized that I loved musical theatre!

What's your favorite pre-show ritual? Two of the many things I do before a show are vocal warm ups and a prayer. It is so essential for me to be prepared mentally and vocally whenever I am performing.

What's your favorite "the show must go on..." memory? I once had to change into a corset and I had very little time to get into it- long story short...I ended up dancing in a sports bra and jacket to cover up. No one was at fault! We all know how costume changes can be and at least the audience didn't notice! Unless it wasn't their first time seeing it.

What's your dream role? I have a list of dream roles- but the one I was and am most proud of was playing Christine Daae my senior year of high school! Given, that was high school but everyone was so talented and we had an amazing choral director. If I ever have the pleasure of playing that role again- I will gladly do it!

Who's your theatrical crush? Matthew Hayes Hunter. Need I say more?

Why should people come see 9 to 5? 9 to 5 is everything you could possibly want in a musical. It's funny, the songs are catchy and memorable, the message behind the story is powerful and leaves an impact once it's over. People will NOT want to miss this and I promise- you will want to come back for more. This cast is absolutely amazing and I've loved every minute on stage with them.

Mary Ellen Smith, Violet

What was your first "live onstage" taste of theatre? My first show was The Sound of Music in 1982. I was 8 years old and played Gretel. My mother, sister and aunts were all involved and it became a family thing. I absolutely loved being on the stage and became addicted to the high one gets from the applause. I've been acting for over 34 years and now I teach Theatre at Riverdale High School. You never know where your hobbies will take you.

What is your favorite pre-show ritual? My pre-show ritual has always been to say a prayer. Right before I step out on stage, I say a quick prayer and ask for guidance and give the glory to Him.

What's your most memorable "the show must go on" moment? In 1999 we did The Secret Garden at the Arts Center of Cannon County. I was cast as Martha and in the middle of the run, I got mono! I felt horrible. I could barely function but as soon as the time came, I performed. It was stressful.

What's your dream role? I've been lucky to play some great roles. I guess Dolly Levi in Hello Dolly is a great one that I would love to do one day. Of course, if Broadway called...I'd take anything.

Who is your theatrical crush? My husband Matt Smith.We met by doing theatre and that was 19 years ago. That is something we can do as a couple and we do. A lot. We even teach Theater together at Riverdale High School in Murfreesboro.

Why should people come see your show? 9 to 5 is a great show. Dolly Parton is amazing and she pulled out all the stops for this one. It has great songs, great choreography and a great story. I also enjoy the fact that I get to harass my husband on stage. He plays Mr. Hart against my Violet.

Memory Strong-Smith, Judy

What was your first taste of "live, onstage" theater? I was in the ensemble for Tom Sawyer directed by Kaine Riggan at what is currently The Keeton Theater. I was a stay at home mom at the time and needed something to do that would get me out of the house and force me to meet other people. I grew up singing and loving musicals so it seemed like a good fit for me! That was in 2009, I think.

What's your favorite pre-show ritual? Yep - a shot of Jack Daniels Honey. Kinda eases any lingering nerves and loosens up the pipes. JUST A SHOT, though. I do not recommend drinking heavily before or during a show; after - that's another story.

What's your favorite "the show must go on..." memory? You know, everyone forgets their lines occasionally. Even when you know them stone cold, you'll get on stage and have a moment when you cannot for the life of you think of what comes next. It's terrifying. But, the other people on stage with you are there to help you through those moments and get you back on track. Onstage, we have to have each other's backs. There must be trust. I was onstage - well, everyone in the cast was onstage, and lines were forgotten. From the stage, the person said, audibly in front of an audience, "help me, what comes next"... I died. Then, I said her lines within my monologue and went on with the show. I wish I could say that was the only time that ever happened during the run of that show - but it wasn't. Everyone in the cast stepped up and made it work. Teamwork, trust, listening to each other and being present is essential in theater. And, that's how and why the show indeed, does go on!

What's your dream role? I am playing one of my dream roles in 9 to 5 as Judy. She goes through quite a change from the beginning of the play, where we see her timid and unsure of everything, thrust out into the world where she is having to find out, maybe for the first time, who she is. As the show progresses we see Judy, too, progress. She becomes more confident in her abilities and in her own skin. By the end of the play she has reclaimed herself and has taken back control of her heart and her life. She's just so inspiring! My next dream role would have to be Diana in Next to Normal.

Why should people come see 9 to 5? Just the fact that Dolly Parton wrote this show with Patricia Resnick should be enough to draw people in! The cast is stellar and we've worked so hard - the music is beautiful and foot stomping and poignant. I think everyone, especially every woman, can find special meaning for them in this play. With the Women's March that brought millions of women together across the world, it's apparent that even tho this show is set in the late 1970s, we still have a long way to go in the fight for gender equality. Although it's no longer unique to have female CEOs, the fact remains that women are STILL being paid less per hour then their male counterparts. And, let's face it - who among us hasn't wanted to string a man up using a garage door opener, and just let him hang there and think about what he just said? But this show isn't just about women's rights. It's also about assumptions and judgments we make about other women - and, let's face it ladies, we all do it- and the effect that has on our entire environment - and how when we work together, and talk to each other instead of about each other, we can "Change It!"

About the show: Murfreesboro's Center for the Arts presents Dolly Parton's hit Broadway musical - 9 to 5, The Musical - running February 10-26, during which they will recognize local women who have made a difference in the workforce with the presentation of "9 to 5 Change It!" Awards.

The "9 to 5 Change It!" award is inspired by the song "Change It!" sung by the three female leads of the show as they restructure their office to be happier and more productive. Women who have been chosen to receive this award are female leaders in their fields. The recipients include Dr. Liz Rhea, United Way executive Meagan Flippin, Middle Tennessee State University professor Jill Austin, MTSU executive Dr. Gloria Bonner, Discovery Center CEO Tara MacDougall, Bridgestone executive Shelly Morton, Murfreesboro Electric marketing director Amy Byers, and Cathy Mitchell, retired community relations coordinator for Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation.

9 to 5, The Musical, with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton and book by Patricia Resnick, is based on the seminal 1980 hit movie. Set in the late 1970s. this hilarious story of friendship and revenge in the Rolodex era is outrageous, thought-provoking and even a little romantic. Pushed to the boiling point, three female coworkers concoct a plan to get even with the sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot they call their boss. In a hilarious turn of events, Violet, Judy and Doralee live out their wildest fantasy - giving their boss the boot! While Hart remains "otherwise engaged," the women give their workplace a dream makeover, taking control of the company that had always kept them down.

The Center's production of 9 to 5, The Musical features many performers who are either making their Center debut, or who are returning after a hiatus. Leading the women is area favorite Mary Ellen Smith as Violet, who is joined by newcomer Katie Hatch as Doralee, and Memory Strong Smith as Judy. Matt Smith (Mary Ellen's husband) is featured as the obnoxious Franklin Hart.

The show is directed by Mathew Hayes Hunter, who is playing Violet's romantic interest Joe. Memory's husband Matt Smith is paired with Doralee as Dwayne, and Hart's hilarious lovelorn assistant Roz is being portrayed by MTSU favorite Angela Tipps. The ensemble features many newcomers to the Center stage.

Tickets can be purchased on the Center's website at www.boroarts.org; calling (615) 904- 2787; or stopping by the Center's box office at 110 W. College St. in downtown Murfreesboro. Prices are $15 for adults; $13 for seniors, students and military, $11.00 for children. Group tickets are available. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings and 2 p.m. on Sunday afternoons.

To post a comment, you must register and login.