MORE LIKE 9 TO 9, THIS MUSICAL IS AN
OVERSTUFFED BUT FUN DOLLYFEST

Ray of Light Theater is known for putting a spin on musicals that are big in popular culture. Hedwig and the Angry Inch, The Rocky Horror Show and Legally Blonde are some of their memorable hits. Now they’ve taken on 9 to 5: The Musical, based on the smash 1980 film.

Majesty Scott (Judy), Jessica Coker (Violet), and Malia Abayon (Doralee)

The title song (in case you don’t know) was written by Dolly Parton and became an anthem for working people everywhere trapped in the Monday-through-Friday grind. The three lead characters — newly divorced Judy (Jane Fonda), overworked and underpaid head secretary Violet (Lily Tomlin), and Doralee, the big-busted, tight-skirted secretary with a heart of gold (Dolly Parton) — became enduring symbols of female empowerment. They tackled male-dominated, sexist office culture and turned it upside down. Their methods were farcical, over the top, and played out as satire. Nonetheless, audiences cheered for these women as they banded together to change the status quo.

Jessica Coker (Violet), and the cast

Malia Abayon (Doralee)

In the last decade, particularly post-COVID, theater companies have been finding new ways to fill empty seats. One of the most successful formulas has been reviving popular box-office movies which have been adapted into stage musicals: Mrs. Doubtfire, Shrek, Beetlejuice, and Back to the Future have all enjoyed successful tours across the country. From the audience’s perspective, it’s a win/win: they already know the heroes, the villains, and the happy ending. The music is often forgettable — but in 9 to 5 Dolly Parton herself wrote the score and included several of her hits (including my personal favorite, “Backwoods Barbieâ€).

Majesty Scott (Judy)

Malia Abayon (Doralee), Jessica Coker (Violet), and Majesty Scott (Judy)

Parton even appears on video at the top of the show to remind the audience we’re in 1980. We see clunky typewriters, a Xerox machine, and women dressed by Tammy Berlin in silk blouses and long skirts. The vintage wigs by Laundra Thyme & Wigs by Lips add to the campiness. In this office caste system, all the women are referred to as “the girls†by the all-male management team, and they keep their heads down in fear of displeasing their bosses. Of course, department head Franklin Hart Jr. (played to the height of arrogance by Will Giammona) embodies the stereotype of the male chauvinistic pig.

Malia Abayon (Doralee), Jessica Coker (Violet), and Majesty Scott (Judy)

Malia Abayon (Doralee), Jessica Coker (Violet), Majesty Scott (Judy) and the cast

We all know how the story unfolds. Judy (Majesty Scott), Violet (Jessica Cooker), and Doralee (Malira Scott, giving a near-perfect Dolly Parton imitation) rise up, rebel, and ultimately take drastic measures to change the hierarchy — holding their boss hostage in order to scare him and turn things around. The farcical story may be over the top, but you can’t help but cheer for these women. If you loved the movie, you’ll probably like the musical, even as the performances lean toward cartoon caricature rather than flesh-and-blood realism — you almost want to boo whenever Hart or his conniving assistant Roz (Mary Kalifa) appear.

Malia Abayon (Doralee) and William Giammona (Franklin Hart)

William Giammona (Franklin Hart) and Mary Kalita (Roz)

Because Patricia Resnick‘s libretto often hews scene-for-scene and line-for-line from the film (which she co-wrote with Colin Higgins), it can get bogged down in details instead of driving toward the obvious conclusion. Still, as with all Ray of Light productions, the actors are true triple threats: they can act, sing, and dance. Director / choreographer Christina Lazo‘s dancemaking is dazzling, with office girls twirling about the stage in long skirts, showing off their legs.

Jessica Coker (Violet) and the cast

Jessica Coker (Violet), Malia Abayon (Doralee), Majesty Scott (Judy) and the cast

Set designer Matt Owens’ three-story set provides a showcase for performers to appear on multiple levels, creating a striking visual effect. The snappy one-liners never let up from the opening scene to the curtain call, and the cast couldn’t be having more fun, which is why 9 to 5 — an imperfect musical — is still an enjoyable evening.

photos by Ben Krantz Studio

9 to 5
Ray of Light Theatre
Victoria Theatre, 2961 16th Street (between Mission and Capp)
two hours plus intermission
ends on September 27, 2025
for tickets ($20-$70), visit ROLT