Review: Solidly Talented Fluff in Seattle Musical Theatre's Fun 9 TO 5

There are certain theatrical experiences out there that are your "vegetables". The shows that make you think about your life, choices, and the world around you. And then there are shows like "9 to 5: The Musical" which are basically dessert. Those fun bits of fluff that aren't going to change your world but make for a yummy, candy coated evening. Sure there's a bit of 1980's women's lib sprinkled on top but it's still just mostly fluff. Luckily the current production from Seattle Musical Theatre is fluff loaded with talent and a hell of a good time.

This tuner written by Dolly Parton and Patricia Resnick based on the 1980 movie focuses on three women, Violet, Doralee and Judy (Jeannette LeGault, Jasmine Jean Sim, and Melissa Fleming) who all work as secretaries for Franklin Hart (Jeff Church), a sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical, bigot. After the ladies have a night of fantasizing about ways to bump off the boss, Violet accidentally puts rat poison in his coffee. Oh he doesn't drink it but he finds out about the incident and their thoughts of killing him and he decides to blackmail Doralee into sleeping with him so he won't go to the police. Well his blackmail backfires and the three women in the heat of the moment tie Hart up and kidnap him until they can figure out how to blackmail him right back.

The original movie is a true classic of American comedy and still holds up today. But the musical has its downfalls. I thought this when I saw the original cast and I think it today, not all the songs move the story along, some of the scenes wander a bit and Parton's music all sounds a bit too country and down home to represent a big city office setting. So it's flawed but still fun thanks to the source material. And director and choreographer Jessica Low has infused the show with nostalgic fun, tight dance numbers and a superbly talented cast and the pacing of the show is close to perfect. I say close as there's still a little tightening and settling in needed especially with the number of moving set pieces and props they have to contend with but that will come with time.

And like I said, the cast is superb. Church as Hart is slimy, overbearing and something you just want to step on and then scrape off your shoe. Natalie Anne Moe as Hart's cloying assistant Roz is hilarious especially in her big solo where she shares her undying devotion to him. And Adam Minton as Joe, the never in the movie but tacked onto the musical for some reason love interest, takes his small role and shines especially in his one duet with Violet where he shows off some amazing pipes.

But it's the three ladies who need to carry this show and they manage it with ease. LeGault is confident, forceful and on tap with some wonderful comedic timing and in great voice. Sim tackles the Dolly Parton role with gusto and shows off she can stand right up there with the likes of Parton and Megan Hilty (the original Doralee on Broadway) vocally. And Fleming completely blew me away with some hysterical comedy and a killer voice that brought down the house for her big 11 o'clock number.

I can honestly say this is one of the best things I've seen come from Seattle Musical Theatre in awhile and hopefully they can keep on this track. And so with my three letter rating system I give Seattle Musical Theatre's "9 to 5: The Musical" a solid YAY. This cotton candy of a show won't help you grow big and strong but it sure is tasty.

"9 to 5: The Musical" performs at Seattle Musical Theatre through March 13th. For tickets or information visit them online at www.seattlemusicaltheatre.org.

To post a comment, you must register and login.