9 to 5 The Musical

Inspired by the iconic 1980s film and brought to life with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton who made a video appearance herself, 9 to 5 The Musical is a laugh-out-loud, empowering production that celebrates teamwork, resilience, and the fight for workplace equality. Set in a corporate office ruled by a sexist and egotistical boss, the story follows three women pushed to their limits who band together to turn the tables on their tyrannical supervisor. With catchy tunes, sharp wit, and a heartwarming message, this musical not only entertains but also pays tribute to the real-life movement sparked by the 9-to-5 group of Boston secretaries in the 1970s. 

The cast of Walkerville Musical Society clearly had a ball with their lively and imaginative production despite the modest size of the Walkerville Community Centre stage, the company made excellent use of the space, with a cleverly designed set that seamlessly transitioned between scenes. A standout feature was the inclusion of an elevator; a touch I have not seen in other productions I have seen. Producer Nick Thompson delivered a well-polished performance filled with thoughtful details that resonated with the audience. Lisa Nugent’s choreography used the stage to maximize the limited space and produced some lovely movement and choreographed routines, while Peter Allsopp’s musical direction ensured a well-balanced sound that supported, rather than overpowered, the performers. Special praise goes to the stage crew for their smooth scene changes and to the ever-welcoming front of house team, who added a personal touch, complete with coffee and biscuits (a tempting treat, even for those on a diet!).

Helen Archer delivered a compelling and confident performance as Violet Newstead, the seasoned office supervisor of fifteen years at Consolidated Industries. Helen captured Violet’s strength and ambition with ease, portraying a woman determined to rise above the limitations imposed by her chauvinistic boss. Helen delivered her musical numbers with assurance, and her chemistry with fellow leads Doralee and Judy was both natural and engaging. The fantasy sequence at Violet’s home, was delivered with a humorous cannabis twist, was a standout moment. Lisa Nugent brought warmth and excellent comic timing to the role of Judy Bernly, the recently divorced newcomer navigating her first job with endearing awkwardness especially when she had no idea how to use a typewriter, photocopies or even a phone. Her musical performances were delivered with confident and well-executed. Andrea Scott-Bell was perfectly cast as Doralee Rhodes, Mr. Hart’s glamorous secretary. She embodied the character’s style and sass, while also conveying the frustration of being misunderstood by her colleagues. Her strong stage presence and vocal ability rounded out a trio of standout performances that anchored the show with heart and humour.

Playing the role of Franklin Hart Jr was Ian Nugent who looked very much at ease delivering this egotistic notorious chauvinist character, Ian delivered this character confidently for this well-established actor who is no stranger to the many principal roles that he has been cast in. There were some lovely scenes with the three female leads and I loved the scene in the office with Doralee it was so funny and entertaining, well-done Ian.

Bev Bennan delivered a standout performance as Roz Keith, the ever-watchful office busybody and Mr. Hart’s fiercely loyal assistant. With impeccable comedic timing and expressive character work, Bev brought Roz’s obsessive devotion to life, revealing layers of unrequited love and desperate ambition in a way that was both hilarious and oddly touching. Her rendition of “Hart to Heart” was a comedic highlight—bold, unexpected, and utterly unforgettable. It had the audience in stitches and left a lasting impression that will make it hard to see Bev in any other light. A truly scene-stealing performance that added a delightful spark to the production.

John Thompson deserves special recognition for his versatility, taking on the roles of Josh Newstead, Bob Enright, and the Doctor with ease and enthusiasm. His ability to switch between characters highlighted promising acting skills and added depth to the ensemble. Equally commendable was Leo Spence as Joe, the office accountant with a quiet crush on Violet. His performance was sincere and engaging, and he brought warmth to the role, particularly in scenes where he supported Violet in uncovering Hart’s deceit. Both actors demonstrated strong potential, with confident stage presence and solid vocal delivery that contributed meaningfully to the production’s success.

Well done to the cast members in the smaller cameo roles, each of whom added colour and character to the production. Ramona Chapman brought charm as the new employee, while Graeme Spence gave a solid performance as the authoritative Mr. Tinsworthy. Ciara Hopkins added flair as the Candy Striper, and James Archer brought a touch of drama as the Cop. William Metcalf and Ron Reavley were well cast as the Detective and Security Guard respectively, and David Parrack gave a convincing turn as Judy’s ex-husband. Jenny Boothroyd was memorable as Missy, Mr. Hart’s unsuspecting wife, and Emma Monaghan captured the spirit of office gossip Kathy with great energy. Abigail Tindle was a poised presence as the office secretary, and Brian Metcalf made a strong impression as Doralee’s husband, Dwayne Rhodes. A special mention goes to Gill Teal, whose portrayal of the office worker with a fondness for drink was both humorous and well delivered. Each of these performances contributed to the richness and humour of the show, rounding out a strong and spirited ensemble.

Well done to Walkerville Musical Society on delivering a thoroughly entertaining and well-executed production of 9 to 5 The Musical. From principal roles to cameo appearances, every performance contributed to a vibrant and memorable show. You should all be incredibly proud of your hard work and talent. I look forward to seeing what you bring to the stage in 2026 with your upcoming pantomime, Sleeping Beauty.

 

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