By: Lydia Vogel, Cedar Creek High School, Egg Harbor City
LINDENWOLD, N.J. — When you have a sexist, egotistical, hypocritical bigot of a boss, a box of rat poison, and a garage door opener, something is bound to go wrong. Lindenwold High School’s performance of the musical 9-to-5 was an unforgettable show that lived up to its guarantee to make your jaw drop.
9-to-5 is a 2008 LA musical based on the 1980 film of the same name. With music composition by Dolly Parton, lyrics and book by Patricia Resnick, 9-to-5 was nominated for multiple Tony Awards including best original score but did not win any Tony’s and had a short Broadway run. The storyline follows three young women as they face the everyday struggles of office life. When a mix-up forces them to hold their boss hostage in fear of losing their jobs, they find strength in themselves and each other, strive to better their situation and stand up for what is right.
Violet, Judy, and Doralee, played respectively by Marisa Miller, Shanik Leiva, and Karina Moreno, beautifully portrayed the struggles facing working women in the 1980’s. The metamorphosis of their characters affected not only themselves but also the world around them. This development was mirrored in each of the actresses’ portrayals. Doralee, determined and confident, had astounding chemistry with her co-stars throughout the play. This chemistry was as sweet and strong as her southern Belle accent. Violet showed her more vulnerable side during the song “Let Love Grow,” warming the audience’s hearts and capturing the essence of second chance love. In contrast, the song “Get Out and Stay Out” showed a moment of pure strength that was unparalleled throughout the rest of the show. Judy’s incredible vocals along with the passion portrayed through the song left everyone cheering for more. There is no doubt that each of these incredible actresses owned the stage and captivated the audience with their performances.
In this ensemble-rich musical, the energy, commitment to character, and cohesiveness is what truly made the musical stand out. During each number, even when faced with minor mishaps, the ensemble continued to shine with their stellar harmonies, captivating choreography, and incredible character choices. One audience favorite was the number “Change It.” Each ensemble member went to extreme depths to make their character shine, an incredible performance by all!
Lindenwold’s student crew far exceeded expectations. The construction of two working elevator doors, coupled with the use of a two-story set, allowed for unique movement when blocking scenes and dance numbers. The set and props were entirely student made. The realism of each prop, from the Xerox machine to the entire back of a car, worked to transport the audience into the office of Consolidated Industries. And moving all these props and set pieces is certainly no small task! On stage, each crew member moved diligently and fluidly through every scene change, with movements as purposefully choreographed as the actual show.
Lindenwold High School took on the story of 9-to-5 with creativity and enthusiasm that made each student “shine like the sun.” This wonderful story of “Hart,” humor, and finding hope was truly a testament to the work put into this incredible performance.
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