9 To 5 The Musical
at Bordentown Regional School District

Reviewed on February 29, 2020

Rivkah Wyner
Jack M Barrack Hebrew Academy
Submitted for publication to Philadephia Inquirer Website 1

The cast of 9 to 5 at Bordentown Regional High School worked as hard from 7:30 to 9:30 to put on this exciting production as the hardworking office staff of Consolidated Industries do from 9 to 5 every single day.

9 to 5: The Musical is based on the 1980 movie by the same name with book and lyrics written by Dolly Parton. The show is set in 1979 around the mundane lives of the employees at Consolidated Industries who frustratingly work at the beck and call of their heartless CEO, Mr. Hart. But the office is in for a real sweet change when the sassy and determined Violet, the misunderstood country gal Doralee, and the nervously enthusiastic Judy decide that they have had enough.

Overall, Bordentown put their best foot forward to bring this spunky musical to life. The three leading ladies were the personality and the backbone of the production, effectively conveying their characters' struggles, strength, and growth as they fought for the rights and dignity of women in the workplace.

The strong female leads, Violet, Doralee, and Judy, performed by Gabrielle Takacs, Meah Jones, and Kayla Downing respectively, played off each other beautifully in addition to depicting their own individual personalities. In the role of Violet, Takacs effectively embodied her character's attitude and diligent work ethic. She acted with poise, commanding the stage as excellently as she ran the office. Jones gave an unbelievably convincing portrayal of the backwards barbie, southern Doralee. Her accent was impeccable, not to mention her killer vocal cords. To complete this dazzling trio was Downing in the role of Judy, who wowed the audience with her grasp on her character's nervous chatter and amusing temperament.

Though he was stuck playing the sexist, egotistical, bigot, Lucas Bergan was still lovable in his humorous performance of Mr. Hart. But it was Gabriel Planas Borgstrom in the role of Joe that ultimately won the heart of the audience (and Violet) in his convincing portrayal of his sweet character. Supporting these fan favorites and the leading ladies was a dedicated ensemble. Most notable was their backup dancing and singing in the jazzy number, "One of the Boys", in which their energy was at its height.

Although the sound was sometimes quiet or delayed, Kyle Meier, Makayla Coleman, and Zach Ward put forth their best effort to tackle the difficult task of amplifying such a large cast. The diligent stage crew executed their many scene changes with ease, led efficiently by stage managers Riddhi Gupta, Alison Wall, and Lydia Braasch.

In approaching this plot twisting, exhilarating musical, the cast and crew of Bordentown's 9 to 5 put on a wholehearted performance to create this successful production.

Aurelle Odhner
Academy of the New Church
Submitted for publication to Philadelphia Inquirer Website 2

"Tumble outta bed and I stumble to the kitchen. Pour myself a cup of ambition..." The upbeat lyrics of Dolly Parton rang through the auditorium as the committed cast and crew of Bordentown Regional High School payed tribute to the American classic, 9 to 5 the Musical.

Based on the 1980 comedy of the same name, this musical combines Patricia Resnick's story with uplifting songs by Dolly Parton. The tale follows three working women as they navigate the myriad obstacles they face from their "sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical, bigot" boss, each one suffering from his selfishness in different ways. By banding together, they discover they can overcome even the most overwhelming of challenges and turn their workplace into a forward-thinking environment for growth, rather than a place to put up with from 9 to 5.

Bordentown Regional High School shone with a collection of strong vocalists that sang beautifully enough to make Dolly Parton herself proud. The genuine friendship between the three empowering female leads reminded the audience that, although the events of the story may have been too wild to be true, the underlying message of effecting change through cooperation and connection is applicable in any era.

Filling the role originally created for Dolly Parton, Meah Jones compellingly played Doralee, a Texan country girl who finds herself stigmatized in the office for her looks. Her vocal ornamentation and consistent accent made her a convincing successor to the famous country singer. An equally remarkable performance was given by Gabrielle Takacs, who played the hardworking and headstrong senior manager, Violet, with self-confidence and emphatic expression. Kayla Downing also shone as Judy, the new girl at the office struggling to recoup after her unfaithful husband leaves her. Her hysterical tears and determined resolve brought depth to this dynamic character.

Other standouts among the cast included Lucas Bergen as Franklin Hart, whose strong, confident voice reflected all the entitlement of his dominating character. His devoted assistant Roz, played by Lauren Redwood, made her presence known with comically dramatic movements and an impeccably maintained character.

Supporting the cast was a dedicated stage crew, who moved cumbersome set pieces silently and efficiently, and recovered well when challenges arose. The sound team also worked hard to balance eighteen body microphones as soloists came on and off and competed with a full orchestra.

The cast and crew of Bordentown Regional High School came together to deliver a powerful message about equality and teamwork, lending their united voices to let their message shine like the sun.

Niva Cohen
Jack M Barrack Hebrew Academy
Submitted for publication to Greater Philly Cappies 3

How better to overcome unfair obstacles in the workplace than to kidnap your boss? This is the path Violet, Judy, and Doralee take in Bordentown Regional High School's admirable rendition of 9 to 5 the Musical.

9 to 5, based on a 1980 movie of the same name, was written by Dolly Parton and Patricia Resnick to portray gender discrimination in the workplace. It outlines the dreary reality of three secretaries in a 1970s office, Violet, Judy, and Doralee, who become empowered by their boss's demeaning treatment of them. They unite in mutual hatred and fantasize about killing their shared enemy. Somehow, the three women take Mr. Hart, their boss, as a hostage and secretly take charge of the office. They improve working conditions and finally get the recognition they deserve. All of them go on to live fulfilling lives, no longer disadvantaged by their womanhood.

Bordentown's 9 to 5 was marked by the three leading ladies' relationships with each other. As they united, they found solace in each others' struggles, and their chemistry was tangible. They let the audience in on the blossoming friendship. As their characters fought for what they deserved with persistence and fearlessness, the crowd supported them out of a sense of comradery.

What anchored Bordentown's production was the delightful performances of the three leads. Gabrielle Takacs showed depth and range in her portrayal of Violet. She both took advantage of sarcastic one-liners and found vulnerability in her character's reluctance to move on after the death of her husband. Kayla Downing (Judy) had impressive vocal range and control, and combined them beautifully with character development in her transformative song, "Get Out and Stay Out." Meah Jones (Doralee) mastered both Southern accent and charm, but never let them detract from her charismatic performance, even while singing.

The ensemble made a valiant effort at the challenging songs in the show. Most notable was the Act Two opener, "One of the Boys," which showcased an engaged ensemble. They gracefully lifted Gabrielle Takacs into the air, thrilling the audience and drawing them back into the show.

Stage management succeeded in keeping actors well-lit throughout the performance. The microphones sometimes came in late, but for the most part, they picked up the leads' lines and lyrics. When a table fell on the way offstage, stage crew cleaned up quickly and professionally.

Despite being a commentary on the mundane drudgery of office life, Bordentown's performance of 9 to 5 found a way to "Shine Like the Sun."

Hanna Matsukawa
Academy of the New Church
Submitted for publication to Greater Philly Cappies 4

Pour yourself a cup of fun and feminism with Bordentown Regional High School's exciting production of 9 to 5: the Musical.

Based on the 1980 film, 9 to 5: the Musical opened on Broadway in 2009. With popular music by Dolly Parton, the show has themes of women's subjugation at home and in the workplace. Full of Seventies humor and coloring, 9 to 5: the Musical follows the lives of three women who work in an office under a terrible boss. Each woman has her grievances and together they take down their sexist boss and work to turn the company for the better.

Bordentown Regional High School's production of 9 to 5: the Musical was filled with strong vocalists who brought enthusiasm and heart to Dolly Parton's energetic songs. The ensemble convincingly executed their various office roles, and the leading and featured actors each sang wonderfully, lighting up the stage with their lovely voices.

Meah Jones superbly captured the misunderstood "Backwoods Barbie" Doralee. She impressively maintained a consistent accent throughout the show, including while singing. She sang beautifully and wholly embodied Doralee's sass and charm. Gabrielle Takacs was a force to be reckoned with as the strong-willed and sarcastic Violet. She sang very nicely while also dancing, and took on the ups and downs of her character with ease. The sweet yet surprisingly spunky Judy was played by Kayla Downing. Downing delivered her role with excellent comedic timing and performed "Get Out and Stay Out" with strength and emotion.

The show emphasized the leading roles, yet the rest of the cast did a notable job with their smaller, though necessary, characters. Lauren Redwood embraced the role of Roz with comfortable ease. With gusto and impressive acting, Redwood brought humor and skill to her performance. Gabriel Planas Borgstrom was an endearing Joe. Though only a featured role, Borgstrom sang admirably in the second act during his sweet duet with Violet.

9 to 5: the Musical had a variety of props, some of which were created by Gia Scozzaro and Ashley Castillo. Kyle Meier, Makayla Coleman, and Zach Ward performed the difficult task of managing 18 mics. Though they experienced minor mishaps, the stage crew managed to quickly and efficiently move the various set pieces. Most notable, perhaps, was that every performance was entirely student-run by Riddhi Gupta, Alison Wall, and Lydia Braasch.

Bordentown Regional High School filled their lively production of 9 to 5: the Musical with satirical humor and splendid singing, presenting the timeless notion that good comes from oppression if one has the guts to "change it."