Strong vocals and good chemistry on display
Germantown Academy: 9 to 5 By Claudia Deeg Working 9 to 5 can be tedious, but not when you have the amusing antics and energizing songs of Germantown Academy’s "9 to 5: The Musical" to keep you entertained!
Working 9 to 5 can be tedious, but not when you have the amusing antics and energizing songs of Germantown Academy's "9 to 5: The Musical" to keep you entertained!
Based off of the hit 1980 film, "9 to 5: The Musical" is an upbeat show with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton. The show, which premiered on Broadway in 2008, follows the lives of three disgruntled office workers trying to cope with their infuriating boss. Under-appreciated Violet, misunderstood Doralee, and naïve Judy hatch a plan to take back the office from the selfish CEO, Franklin Hart Jr., and to make it a better place for all of the employees.
The show opened onto a simplistic set, which complemented the big personalities onstage and subtly enhanced the overall production. The stage crew's incorporation into the show was an excellent way to facilitate transitions, though it did occasionally cause shifts to appear to be late. The well-executed makeup also enhanced the actors' appearance onstage.
The cast of 9 to 5 struggled with enunciation and projection at times, and occasional late sound cues made it difficult to hear the actors. However, the energy of the entire cast made the show a joy to watch onstage. The involvement of every character was engaging and highly entertaining. Certain performers, such as Erin Patrick as Margaret, the office drunk, and Eli Schleicher as Violet's love interest, Joe, truly embraced their roles, and their interludes never failed to elicit laughter. The featured dancers, especially in Cowgirl's Revenge, exhibited dancing skills unrivaled on a high school stage.
Not one of the leading performers was without impeccable comedic timing. Harry Feldman [Franklin Hart Jr.] showed off his dancing talent and a knack for comedy in his song "Here for You." His command of the character never faltered throughout the entire performance. Equally entertaining was his obsessed secretary, Roz, played by Ebony Rhodes. Her uproarious lamentations of love and dedication to Mr. Hart were a joy to behold.
Sophie Hearn [Violet], Erica Nicole Rothman [Doralee] and Emma Hearn [Judy] were fantastic as the three leading ladies. Their chemistry as a group, their flawless vocal performances, and their hysterical antics were Broadway-quality. Their performances were simply stunning.
So, if you ever have to deal with a "sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot" for a boss, Germantown Academy's 9 to 5 will tell you how to cope!