BWW Reviews: Walnut Street's 9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL

The Walnut Street Theatre opens its 206th season with the wildly entertaining 9 TO 5: THE MUSICAL. This animated, over the top musical comedy is based on the iconic 1980's film. International music sensation Dolly Parton wrote its toe-tapping score, including 16 brand new songs for the stage, something she had never done before. The book was written by the original screenwriter, Patricia Resnick. The production was recognized with four Tony Award nominations, including Best Original Score, a Grammy nomination for Best Musical Show Album and a record-breaking 15 Drama Desk Award. Not since "The Producers" and "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" has a film to stage production truly earned such accolades.

Pushed to the boiling point in the work place, three female co-workers concoct a plan to get even with their sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical boss. They conspire to take control of the company and learn there's nothing they can't do, even in a man's world. Brassy, thought-provoking and sprinkled with a little romance, 9 TO 5 is a story of friendship, delicious revenge and getting ahead in a business man's world.

Dee Hoty, Broadway's Mamma Mia plays Sr. Office Mgr. Violet Newstead to perfection, Amy Bodnar; Walnut favorite plays the voluptuous CEO's personal secretary Doralee with a believable country twang accent and tons of talent. Amanda Rose makes her Walnut debut as Judy Bernly, the new girl without an office skill to her name. Rose's vocals are beautifully done. Veteran Walnut actor Broadway's Paul Schoeffler plays the despicable, male chauvinist CEO Mr. Hart. Schoeffler is terrifically lewd and just looks great harnessed and helpless!

Standout performances are offered by two of Philly's finest; the ever popular
Ben Dibble plays Jr. accountant Joe and aims his heart at Violet. The startlingly hysterical soliloquy "Heart to Hart" from the talented Mary Martello plays Roz who has the hots for her bawdy boss and brings down the house with hilarity.

Parton's original score forwards the flow from scene to scene nicely with witty lyrics in songs such as "Backwoods Barbie", "I Just Might", "Shine Like the Sun" and of course the title song "9 to 5".

9 TO 5: THE MUSICAL runs at the Walnut September 2 through October 19. For tickets and information, call 215-574-3550 or 800-982-2787. Tickets are also available online 24/7 by visiting www.WalnutStreetTheatre.org or Ticketmaster.

Photo Credits: Mark Garvin