REVIEW: 9 to 5: The Musical

WORKING WOMEN: Diana DeGarmo, Dee Hoty and Mamie Parris star in Dolly Parton's fresh yet retro "girl power" show, '9 to 5: The Musical,' playing through May 8 at the Buell Theatre. Photo by Joan Marcus.

Leave it to the irrepressible and indomitable Dolly Parton to take a 30-year-old "girl power" movie about overcoming sexual harassment in the work place and parlay it into a fresh and uplifting musical comedy. "9 to 5: The Musical," based on the movie, plays through May 8 at the Buell Theatre.

It's just the kind of thing you'd expect from the legendary country singer: sassy but sweet, wide-eyed yet knowing, retro and hip, all at the same time.

In addition to the iconic title song, Parton has composed the tunes and lyrics for 15 additional numbers. Patricia Resnick, who wrote the original screenplay, has honed the story down to fit nicely into a flashy musical that offers plenty of fine moments for supporting and minor characters, as well as the chorus. Throw in snappy direction and choreography by Jeff Calhoun, and frequent video appearances by Parton herself as narrator, and "9 to 5: The Musical" becomes a triumph of light-weight, popular musical theater entertainment.

The musical is primarily a showcase for the three heroines: the much-abused but highly competent Violet (Mamie Parris), backwoods Barbie Doralee (Diana DeGarmo) and nervous new girl Judy (Dee Hoty) as they unwittingly set into motion a chain of events that escalates into the kidnapping and humiliation of their outrageously chauvinistic boss (Joseph Mahowald). During his "absence," they initiate reforms in the office that boost productivity by meeting the needs of the workers, and boost their own self-esteem. Ironically, a lot of energy goes into running and improving the business, but I don't think we ever know what the company actually does. This is a musical that knows, like Jacob Marley of Dickens fame, that PEOPLE, and making opportunities for them to grow, are our true business.

Thirty years is long enough for the fashions and hairstyles of the period to become funny all on their own, and "9 to 5: The Musical" pays tribute to "the look," but interestingly, are not as extreme as the original! The songs are easy on the ears, and the whole spirit of the musical is one of good, wholesome, silly fun. Even the men (and in the show they are nearly all pigs) won't feel slighted, because we can imagine that we are so much more evolved now.


Broadway and the Tony's weren't as kind to this show as they might have been, and shame on them, especially now that YET ANOTHER revival of the far more cynical "How to Succeed in Business" is garnering their praise.

"9 to 5: The Musical" has all the infectious optimism you would hope for, but rarely find in musical comedies these days.

Brought to Colorado by Denver Center Attractions, "9 to 5: The Musical" plays at the Buell Theatre through April 8. Call 303-893-4100 for tickets and information, or visit www.denvercenter.org. For more information on the touring production, check out www.9to5themusical.com.