(OUTview NW) RE-view: It's DOLLY'S Score Along with a Strong Cast that makes SMT's '9 to 5', PURE Gold!

Let the Revenge Fantasies Begin! (Jeff Carpenter)

by MK Scott

It was 5 years ago in 2011, when the Hit Broadway Musical, '9 to 5' toured through Seattle and played the 5th avenue theater and the biggest star was Dolly Parton, herself as she narrated the story and was projected on a big screen.

Now that local theaters can produce the show, I was curious on how they would be able to do the show without Parton's pressence.

This past weekend, I attended the opening of Seattle Musical Theater's 9 to 5 and it is still PURE Dolly, and it is the music that is the true star.

Perry (w/Sim) was the beefcake moment! (Jeff Carpenter)

Last weekend, I showed my boyfriend the 1980 movie version to get us ready, and now that we knew the story, we could pay more attention to the music and the performances, which I think was the creator's intention.

The set by Thomas Kouyeas was a multi-colored set (70's style) with hidden closets with platforms being pushed for specific scenes. It was as elaborate than anything at the 5th ave.

In adapting the movie for the stage, Patricia Resnick sticks close to the airy avenging-secretaries plot of her original screenplay.

Violet (the very butch, by just enough feminine touch by Jeannette LeGault) wants the executive suite but is held back by egostical boss, Franklin Hart (played with perfection by Jeff Church) and pursued by the lovable, Joe (Adam Minton).

Judy (the super cute, Melissa Fleming) is newly single and has to go back to work for the first time with no experience, but Violet gives her a chance.

Doralee (played with southern charm by Jasime Jean Sim) is married to the super Hot, Dwayne (Nick Perry), but is sexually harrassed by Mr. Hart.

Roz and her obsession? (Jeff Carpenter)

Roz (the hysterical, Natalie Ann Moe) plays Hart's nagging assistant and is obsessed with him. The hilarious, 'Heart to Hart' previews a twist that is revealed at the end.

The revenge fantasy was better in this version that the tour version and the cast was top notch, even Doug Fahl as Mr. Tinsworthy is FAB, who gives Hart his much deserved comeupence.

So, how did they narrate the show without Parton's image? It was Sim as Doralee as Parton that spoke to the 4th wall and it totally worked.

SMT's 9 to 5, continues through March 13 at Magnuson Center in Seattle. Click Here for Info and Tix.