Hawaii Tribune-Herald Island Beat Thursday, September 29, 2016 9 Directed by Jeri Gertz Musical Director Devon Lerma Choreography by Michael Misita Fridays and Saturdays at 7pm Sundays at 2:30pm Tickets $15 Advance - $5 more Day of Show No extra charge on Opening Weekend Purchase tickets at the box office or by phone with a credit card, 10am-3pm, M-F doubling up on parts, which is fun for them because they can play different characters and stretch their acting chops a little bit.” When looking to cast the iconic part of Doralee Rhodes, who was portrayed by Parton in the film version, Gertz says she was looking for someone who had a lot of bounce. “The Dolly Parton character, Doralee, is the one people probably remember the most from the film,” says Gertz, who is also the director of Harmony on Tap and has directed and appeared in productions for the Hilo Community Players, University of Hawaii at Hilo Performing Arts Center and Artists in-the-Schools Drama Education programs. “Doralee is just walking on sunshine; she is a country girl’s idea of glam,” she says, explaining that while Parton’s physical assets are famous in their own right, as a director, she wanted more from her Doralee. “You have to be able to deliver the warmth and confidence that is a trademark of Doralee,” Gertz says. For attorney Stephanie Becher, playing Doralee onstage was something she has dreamed about since she was little. “I was really gunning for this part,” she says. “Doralee is always looking on the bright side of life, no matter what’s going on. But also, don’t piss her off.” For Becher, who also has appeared in the Palace’s “Mary Poppins” with her son, Sawyer, 10, and Kilauea Drama and Entertainment Network productions with Sawyer and her other son, Kameron, 12, there is much to enjoy about portraying Doralee in “9 to 5: The Musical.” “For one, I get to do the country-western accent, which has been a lot of fun,” Becher says. “But a lot of people know Dolly Parton and the role she played in the film, so my struggle was to get the accent to be mine and not just me imitating Dolly Parton.” Becher says she is so grateful that her husband and sons are so supportive of her theatrical endeavors. “Theater is my way of relaxing,” she explains. “It’s a lot of work but it’s something totally different from my job where I can let loose and have fun and it takes me out of that stress mode.” Then there’s Will McGregor, who went to the auditions thinking he might get into the chorus as he did last year, but ended up cast as the lecherous boss, Franklin Hart. “It’s difficult because he truly is a despicable human being,” McGregor says. “You sort of have to love the character you’re playing, but there is a kind of freedom in saying things you could never say to someone in real life.” So, McGregor is drawing on the memories of mean people in his past and awful working environments to put the right amount of obnoxiousness into his portrayal. “But the thing about the live production is Hart is a bit more ludicrous than he is in the movie,” McGregor explains. “It’s funny, too, because during the whole show I’m putting down these three women, but really (as an actor) I’m just trying to keep up with them. They are extremely talented.” Seasoned Palace musical veteran Justine Thompson plays one of the other lead female roles, Violet Newstead. Thompson recently directed the Hilo Community Players’ annual Shakespeare in the Park event and owns and operates Acme Hour- Glass Burlesque Co. This is her third musical at the Palace: She appeared as Frau Blucher in “Young Frankenstein” in 2013 and as Jacqueline in “La Cage aux Folles” in 2014. “Working on a Palace show is always a dream, especially when you have a lead part,” Thompson says. “‘9 to 5’ is such a great show and one of my favorite movies that talks about real issues women are still going through today like equal pay, wanting a safe and nurturing workplace, and actually being taken seriously as ‘the boss.’” Rachel Edwards plays the third female lead, Judy Bernly. Edwards also has appeared in Kilauea Drama Entertainment Network’s “Cinderella,” UH-Hilo’s production of “Miss Saigon” and KDEN’s “The King and I.” Edwards says she appreciates her character’s positive spirit. “Even though she feels lost at times, she keeps trudging forward, and I think that’s absolutely inspiring,” Edwards says. “I think sometimes we need to all channel our inner Judy and scream ‘get out!’ to the challenges in our lives. All these characters are facing adversity in more ways than one.” “9 to 5: The Musical” is not an easy show to put together, but Misita, the show’s choreographer, has it covered. Misita has appeared on Broadway in nine productions, including as part of the original cast of “A Chorus Line.” He also has appeared in, choreographed and directed more than 100 plays and musicals, as well as 150 TV commercials and several popular TV series and films. “This show has been challenging as far as the choreography due to the fact that three of the biggest numbers involve 18 individuals being constantly in and out of an office,” Misita explains. “It was necessary for director Jeri Gertz and I to create and work with endless charts — 48 at last count — to figure out who was entering stage and on what line, who is leaving and then entering again. … To have one number in a show that requires this type of staging/choreography is difficult enough, but three? Whew!” Gertz says Misita knows how to wow the audience. “People who saw ‘Mary Poppins’ last year will be delighted to know he’s choreographing this show,” she said. Gertz adds that she, Misita and Lerma make an excellent collaborative team, and that the entire cast and crew are all going the extra mile to ensure this is a mustsee show. “Community theater is a wonderful place where very real things happen because of collaboration,” Gertz says. “And being at the Palace Theater … you can feel the energy of decades of great performances in the walls and on the stage.” While previous fall musicals have typically been family-friendly, the content of “9 to 5: The Musical” is geared for adults. “It’s a story that everyone can relate to,” Gertz says. “It’s about camaraderie and working together to overcome what feel like insurmountable obstacles.” 9-5 From page 6 ‘9 to 5: The Musical’ Where: Palace Theater, 38 Haili St., Hilo. When: Opens at 7 p.m. Oct. 7 with another performance at 7 p.m. Oct. 8. The show continue its run at 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Oct. 14-15 and 21-22; Sunday matinees are at 2:30 p.m. Oct. 16 and 23. Admission: Tickets for opening weekend are $15 presale and the day of performance; presale tickets for remaining shows are $15 and $20 the day of the show. The Palace Theater box office is open 10 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays or call 934-7010.
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