Theater Review: '9 to 5 The Musical' at Music Theatre of Connecticut

Review by Connecticut Critics Circle member and Naugatuck Patch neighbor Nancy Sasso Janis

The Music Theatre of Connecticut in Norwalk was hard at work presenting a delightful production of "9 to 5 The Musical." The show drew packed audiences to many sold-out performances. The musical version of "9 to 5" is based on the Twentieth Century Fox film and the excellent music and lyrics by the iconic Dolly Parton are added to the book by Patricia Resnick. The MTC production which closed last weekend was a well-produced trip down memory lane to 1979. As Dolly describes it, it was time "when "the boss wasn't interested in no women's movement. Unless of course it was happening under his desk!"

Amy Griffin directs the Equity cast and is able to bring a maternal eye to the three women at the heart (not Hart) of the story. She directed the recent "A Fox on the Fairway" at MTC and also the wonderful "Something Rotten" with Jen Cody at Sharon Playhouse. Equity stage manager Britt Kolek keeps track of all of the backstage action that often sends performers through the aisles while moving office furniture. The choreographer Clint Hromsco keeps the dancers moving well with inventive movement and fun poses.

Elissa Demaria gives a wonderful performance in the role of Judy. Since I am preparing to perform this role, I kept a close eye on her every move and was very impressed by her performance. The actress played the role of Judy in "White Christmas" and earned a Connecticut Critics Circle nomination for Best Actress for her performance as Audrey in "Little Shop of Horrors." For the past seven years, she has been teaching and choreographing for the school at MTC.

Hannah Bonnett, who appeared in the national tour of "Legally Blonde" as Woods, Elle, is a delight in the role of the sexy and sweet Doralee, the character that was played by you know who. Bonnett shows off a powerful singing voice and makes the character come to life perfectly. She must pantomime some moves when the scenery required does not fit the space and does so convincingly.

Gina Lamparella makes her MTC debut in the important role of Violet. The Equity actor appeared on Broadway in "Caroline or Change," "A Little Night Music," and "Fiddler" and has many other theatre credits, including as director and choreographer. She demonstrates the vacillating confidence of the company veteran and widowed mom of a teen, played well by ensemble member and fight captain Tyler Brian Miranda. The young actor played The Minstrel in the memorable "Something Rotten" in Sharon.

Joe Cassidy returns to take on the role of the "sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot" Hart and plays up the physical comedy in the role.Roz Robin Loundsbury, who was part of "She Loves Me" at Westport Country Playhouse, makes her MTC debut as Roz.

Matt Mancuso ("Rent," "Moon Over Buffalo" at MTC) is back on the MTC stage, this time in the role of Joe, the endearing guy in the office that has his eye on (the older) Violet. Mancuso brings his special charm to the role.

Alyssa McDonald, the only cast member who is not yet Equity, appears for the first time at MTC as the secretary Kathy. McDonald is a BFA graduate of WCSU and was born and raised in New York. Lucy Moon makes her MTC debut in the ensemble as the office lush Margaret and Missy (Mrs. Hart) and does well with both supporting roles.

Scott Ahearn is the ensemble member that plays Doralee's adoring husband Dwayne. Emma Kops, a Boston Conservatory graduate, makes her MTC debut in the ensemble and as the "secretary" Maria Delgado. Ensemble member Christian Libonati, co-founder of Filament Theatre (in its 19th season,) steps up to play Dick, the guy who dumped Judy for Mindi (with an "i.")

Zachary Anderson is in charge of music direction and conducts the singers and band members on a monitor from behind a keyboard. The small band includes Alan Lounsbury on bass, Kyle Cohen on guitar, the fabulous Nate Dobas on drums and Gary Ruggiero on woodwinds and manage to make the often-challenging score sound great. Anderson coaches musical theatre students at WCSU and is currently developing his third original musical entitled "The First Year."

The props designed by UConn grad Kimberly Slosek include a bunch of late 70s office items, puppets, and a prop gun. The costumes designed by Diane Vanderkroff are lovely and 1978 period appropriate, especially those for the three female leads. There is the big blonde wig for Doralee. Lighting design by Scott Borowka ("Rent") works well on the simple set designed by Starlet Jacobs. Fight and intimacy direction by Dan O'Driscoll helps the actors to perform safely.

The signature cocktail for "9 to 5" was called "Skinny and Sweet" (if you know, you know.)

Closing week audiences were warned that the first act runs 90 minutes. In addition to the prop gun warning that is fired during certain scenes, the program includes: "Please be aware actors will be moving through the aisles during the performance. If you leave the theatre at any time, re-entry may not be allowed until intermission or after the show has ended." This is true of most shows at MTC.

Next season at MTC will include "Harmony," "Always Patsy Cline," "Desperate Measures," and "Clue" and subscriptions are available.