Courtesy of the UC Regents, photo by Jeanine Hill
Written by Patrick Chavis
UC Irvine Claire Trevor School of Arts presents 9 to 5, the musical, now playing at The Irvine Barclay Theater in Irvine on November 21-24, 2024.
Claire Trevor’s production of 9 to 5 is a fun and farcical romp. It highlights many of the struggles women faced in the late 1970s and early 1980s, even with the critical federal laws implemented in the 1960s.
Story:
9 to 5, the musical follows Violet Newstead (Sloane Ptashek), the senior office supervisor, and various other employees at Consolidated Industries as they navigate the toxic work environment and conditions led by their sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot of a boss, Franklin Hart, Jr. (Drew Downs).
While 9 to 5 is very comical and over the top in its presentation of how past mores, particularly in the workplace, have affected women. The original film the musical is based on is inspired by a real movement called the 9 to 5 movement that started in Boston, fighting against the continued discrimination women received even with legal precedent. It’s a fight that continues.
As recent as 2009, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act was passed to close a loophole when it comes to discriminatory practices towards women. Pieces like 9 to 5 show us where we’ve come from and help us gain perspective on the present. The play and music are also a good time, with music written by Dolly Parton, a true talent from the country music world.
Set Design:
Acting:
Drew Downs is so good in the role of Franklin Hart, Jr. It’s criminal, and he is a criminal, so it works. It’s a dastardly performance from Downs.
Sloane Ptashek (Violet Newstead) provides some of the most consistent performances while maintaining a believable mood of desperation and anger when needed in certain instances.
With a role practically screaming to go wildly over the top, I liked Kaitlin Miranda’s restraint in not going too far but still keeping it funny. Miranda found the right balance of business and silliness with the Roz character.
Look out for Ruby Lapeyre’s (Judy Bernly) showstopper with the tune “Get Out and Stay Out.”
The show mostly provides open seating, so if you drop in early, you can get lucky and sit mere feet away from the pit. Some people like to sit further away, but for me, I had the best seat in the house. Sain Leyva’s Music direction and the full orchestra are not to be missed.
[…] absolutely thrilled to share that we’ve been recognized by the Orange Curtain Review with multiple 2024 […]