BWW Reviews: Sally Struthers Shines in Riverside's 9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL

Good for Sally Struthers. At age 67, Struthers may not be the hardest working gal in show business, but from all reports she loves to work and is just one of the gang. Riverside Center in Stafford County certainly considers her family after she headlined a smash hit run in HELLO, DOLLY! They brought her back as the salty piano player in THE FULL MONTY last year and she was game to return to the dinner theatre in their latest production: the musical adaptation of 9 TO 5.

Based on the reaction I experienced last night, Sally Struthers is right at home and will enjoy warm welcomes from every packed house at Riverside. While she is not playing one of the three leading roles, Struthers takes on the memorable role as the main adversary to all the lowly office workers at Consolidated Industries. Roz, the CEO's executive secretary (read chief spy and snitch), is also his most ardent fan. No, that's not accurate. Roz has the unrequited hots for her boss Franklin Hart, Jr. - played with bravado and relish by Thomas Adrian Simpson.

Struthers makes the most of her every line and entrance - giving the audience what they came for - without overshadowing the other performers. Her big musical number, "Hart to Heart," has to be seen to be believed and it is not for the faint of heart. Roz confesses - and acts upon - her lustful longings for Mr. Hart. Struthers delivers a four course meal of raunchy and broad humor during the number. If you bring small children or your Baptist Sunday school class to see the show, you might want to bring some blindfolds to pass around during the song's (ahem) climax.

As for the rest of the show, it pretty much follows the template of the 1980 film which starred Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda and Dolly Parton as three members of the secretarial pool in a large company who have to deal with corporate politics and Mr. Hart, their sexist and crooked boss. Violet (the Tomlin role) is the smart, widowed mother of one who really runs the office but is constantly overlooked because she's a woman. Andrea Detar makes Violet's intelligence and wit believable.

Alicia Osborn is very good as the fish out of water Judy (Fonda's movie role), who has just entered the workforce for the first time after her husband left her for a 19 year old. Osborn also possesses an expressive and powerful voice which she uses throughout the show, especially in the 11 o'clock take charge number, "Get Out and Stay Out," when she finally tells off her worthless ex-husband.

As the stand-in for the buxom Parton as Southern belle Doralee, Victoria Guiteras Mayo brings the effortless sex appeal, sweetness and twangy pipes to best advantage. Parton's song for Doralee, "Backwoods Barbie" was perfectly handled by Mayo, a celebration of the heart and smarts that can hide beneath a sexpot body. Doralee is the only one of the office gals with a happy husband at home, even though the rest of the staff at Consolidated assume she is sleeping with Mr. Hart.

Once Violet, Judy and Doralee find a common ground and work to take down their slimy boss - and improve the company at the same time - the girl power trifecta take the reins of their own destiny. Since the musical is placed in the late-70's - back when phones had cords, copy machines were as big a cars, and women were still struggling to break the corporate glass ceiling - the trajectory of the three empowered women should ring with historical truth. It does, but the musical's book (by co-screenwriter Patricia Resnick) has to shed details to make room for Parton's songs, leaving a story that seems like shorthand that was never fully dictated.

Dolly Parton, aside from being one of country music's legendary singers, is also a very good songwriter. As the composer and lyricist of a full-fledged musical, Dolly takes care of business, starting with adapting the wildly popular title song into a great opening number. Doralee's "Backwoods Barbie" and Judy's "Get Out and Stay Out" are stand-outs as character songs. "Let Love Grow" is a lovely duet for Judy and junior accountant Joe - played with earnest charm by Calvin Malone - but I swear I couldn't remember the tune by the time I got to the parking lot.

The audience is treated to a special bonus: Parton makes a cameo appearance as a disembodied master of ceremonies, introducing the characters and setting many of the scenes. She even offers a little bit of her title tune, all from the comfort of the oversized clock face that looks down on the entire show.

Director and choreographer Patti D'Beck keeps the show moving, providing a palette of 70's dance moves and clever staging that uses Brian Barker's office inspired setting to the fullest. Jason J. Michael's musical direction provides strong support for Parton's score, complete with the sound of FM radio from the decades before satellite radio and iPods.

Riverside's 9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL gives fans of the movie, Parton's music, or Sally Struthers a chance to sit back and enjoy a trip down memory lane.

What about the dinner? After tasty improvements the last time I attended Riverside, the food for 9 to 5 continues to grow in quality. The menu included a beef shepherd's pie, tilapia-stuffed salmon, a pasta dish, and (my choice) chicken fried chicken breast with white gravy. This time patrons also may choose from a selection of side dishes to accompany the entrees, a nice innovation.

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9 to 5 THE MUSICAL continues through May 3, 2015 at Riverside Center, 95 Riverside Parkway, Fredericksburg, VA 22406. For information or tickets, go to Riverside Center HERE or call (540) 370-4300. Riverside's Facebook page is found HERE

PHOTO CREDIT: Riverside Center

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