Funny… but true?
A Season Opener with Spark
Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5 is the first show of Novato Theater Company’s 105th season, and it’s a lively start. The production grows stronger as it moves along, ending with the kind of sparkle and punch that leaves an audience smiling.
But First, the Plot/Storyline
Based on the hit 1980 movie, 9 to 5 The Musical drops us into a late-1970s office where three very different women—Violet, the overlooked office manager; Judy, the nervous newcomer finding her footing after a divorce; and Doralee, the vivacious secretary battling her boss’s unwanted advances—band together against their “sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot” of a boss, Franklin Hart Jr. What begins as daydreamed revenge turns into a wild reality when the women take matters into their own hands, kidnap Hart, and transform the workplace into one where productivity soars, fairness rules, and friendship flourishes. It’s a comic fantasy with just enough bite to feel pointed even today.
A Story with Staying Power
9 to 5 has an interesting history. The story began in 1980 as a hit Hollywood comedy starring Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton, and Dabney Coleman. The film struck a cultural chord, tackling sexism in the workplace with humor and heart, while Parton’s theme song became a number-one single, winning Grammys and securing a place in pop culture. The popularity of the film was strong enough to inspire a five-season television sitcom during the 1980s, though it never quite matched the original’s impact. Nearly three decades later, the story found new life on stage. Dolly Parton expanded her famous anthem into a full score for 9 to 5: The Musical, which premiered in Los Angeles in 2008 before opening on Broadway the following year. The show earned multiple Tony nominations and went on to tour nationally, with audiences embracing its mix of comedy, empowerment, and high-energy music. The tale’s staying power was confirmed in 2019 when a West End revival brought the show to London’s Savoy Theatre, where it played to enthusiastic houses. From film to TV to stage, 9 to 5 has proved remarkably adaptable, reflecting both its timeless humor and the enduring resonance of its message about equality and solidarity in the workplace.
Direction, Music & Choreography
Director Larry Williams keeps the pace brisk and the tone fresh. He balances the broad comedy with just enough heart so the characters never become caricatures. Choreographer Marilyn Izdebski’s dances sparkle with energy and humor, while Nick Brown’s music direction ensures the powerhouse score fills the intimate Novato space with Dolly Parton joy.
A Personal Note
For me, the pleasure was watching the show gather steam. Early on, the cast was warming into their roles; but as the evening progressed, the energy deepened, the timing sharpened, and the performances lifted. By the second act, they were squarely in the flow, carrying the audience with them to a satisfying finish.
Bethany Cox, Andrea “Andee” Thorpe & Lauren Sutton-Beattie
Photo Credit: Marilyn Izdebski
Standout Performances
Andrea Thorpe, as Violet, makes her NTC debut in a dream role and delivers it with polish and passion. Lauren Sutton-Beattie gives Judy a blend of vulnerability and strength, winning over the audience in every scene. Bethany Cox is a delight as Doralee—witty, charming, and with a country twang that Dolly herself would tip her hat to. And as the dastardly Franklin Hart, Pat Barr leans into the villainy with just enough over-the-top bravado to make his eventual comeuppance delicious. The supporting players—Amy Dietz as Roz (hilariously unhinged), Nick Kealy as Joe (sweetly earnest), and the rest of the ensemble—round out a cast that works together like a well-oiled IBM Selectric.
Final Word
As much as 9 to 5 is a romp of workplace comedy, it also carries a thread of empowerment that still resonates. This production embraces both sides—the laughter and the message—while showcasing the growing strength of its cast as the evening unfolds. By curtain call, Novato Theater Company has delivered a season opener that feels fresh, fun, and rewarding, the kind of community theater experience that leaves you glad you were there. Don’t wait until 5 o’clock—get your tickets now.
The message still resonates and bites.
To Go
9 to 5 The Musical
When: September 19–October 12, 2025
Where: Novato Theater Company, 5420 Nave Drive, Novato
Performances: Fridays 7:30 pm; Saturdays 7:30 pm (Sept. 20, 27 & Oct. 11), plus Sat. matinee Oct. 4 at 2:00 pm; Sundays 2:00 pm; Preview Thursday, Sept. 18 at 7:30 pm
Tickets: General Admission $37; Student/Youth $25
Info: NovatoTheaterCompany.org or tickets@novatotheatercompany.
★★★★★
Each review is created through my proprietary FocusLens℠ method—an original editorial process shaped by firsthand experience, critical insight, and structured narrative design. Original photography, graphics, director quotes, and animated elements are incorporated to enhance reader engagement and visual impact. State-of-the-art scaffolding systems support organization and phrasing, but every sentence and decision reflects my own voice and judgment. These are not AI-generated reviews—they are authored, shaped, and published by me.
