Your Perfect 5 to 9 After a Long 9 to 5: Gateway Playhouse Delivers for Dolly
by Piper Byrne
Some nights at the theatre are just meant to be. Friday, September 25 (that’s 9/25) was Dolly Parton Day, the first since we lost her last month. I spent it in Somers Point watching Gateway Playhouse’s 9 to 5: The Musical, and there was truly no better way to celebrate.
In his Director’s Note, Philip Palitto shares that the company chose this show a year ago, never imagining they’d be staging it so soon after Dolly’s passing. Somewhere along the way, he writes, the production became their small celebration of her, and you can feel it from the very first beat of the title number. More than forty-five years after Violet, Doralee, and Judy first clocked in to their shift at Consolidated, their fight to be seen, heard, and paid fairly still hits close to home. Palitto’s production delivers that message the way Dolly always did: with humor, heart (or in this case, Hart), and a whole lot of sparkle.
The story follows three women who have finally had enough of their boss, Franklin Hart, a man who takes credit, cuts corners, and treats his staff like props. After one very eventful night of revenge fantasies (and a little accidental kidnapping), they take the office into their own hands. Gateway’s 9 to 5 is clean, bright, and wildly entertaining from start to finish.
At the center of it all is the trio, and the dynamic between Leanne Gray (Violet), Lynsey Ireland (Doralee), and Carli Mozeleski (Judy) is a joy to watch. Their friendship feels genuine, and it grows scene by scene as they go from coworkers to coconspirators to true best friends. It must be such an honor to step into Doralee’s boots so soon after Dolly’s passing. I hope Ireland felt the joy of Dolly that all of us in the audience felt right alongside them on that stage.
Carli Mozeleski’s Judy is an outstanding performance and the emotional heart of the show. Mozeleski hits Judy’s journey from rattled new hire to self-assured woman right on the head and brings a powerhouse voice that soars through every number to go along with it. “Get Out and Stay Out” was the showstopper of the night, a moment of pure release that had the audience cheering. Leanne Gray’s Violet beautifully captures the dedication and ambition that drive the character, playing a woman who has spent years doing the work and is more than ready to get the credit. It’s a portrayal that surely inspired every woman in the audience who has ever been overlooked for the job she deserves! Greg Dragon’s Franklin Hart is deliciously detestable, and “Here for You” in Act I was a true standout. Stefanie Baccelliere’s Roz is wonderful, with acting skills that are simply out of this world. Every glance and every line landed just as it should have, leaving the audience cackling.
A special shoutout goes to Kim Tunney (Margaret) and Jacob Van Tine (Dick), who absolutely own their roles. Each brings a sharp, specific energy that gives us a fuller picture of the day-to-day these women are living, both inside and outside the office. Their scenes make Consolidated feel like a real, lived-in place. It’s all the more impressive given that Tunney also co-stage manages the production!
The rest of the cast fills out Consolidated and the world around it with personality at every desk. That includes Spencer Lyons (Dwayne), Jason Reed (Joe), Isaiah Wilkins (Josh), Lea Matarazzo (Missy), Flor Rosales (Maria), Grace Long (Kathy), Jeamy Nguyen (Bob Enright), Jim Maher (Tinsworthy), Javier Sanchez (Detective/Doctor), Amber Cornish (Candy Striper), and Marla Bennard (New Employee). Every one of them adds to the hum of the office and helps the story move with tons of excitement and life!
The ensemble of Lauren Wileczek, Julie Morell, Lea Matarazzo, Zoe Wells, Olivia Williams, Suzanne Starker, Arianna Wiggins, Tina Holden, and Rebekah Tanis is remarkably strong, bringing big energy and big voices to every scene they’re in. With a little more amplification, their offstage vocals could fill the house just as fully as their onstage work does. Karen Cleighton’s choreography is smartly built for this company. It plays to the dancers’ strengths and keeps the office buzzing. A touch more polish in a few sequences would take it even further, but the numbers never lose momentum.
Visually, the production is a treat. Peter Avagliano’s set brings Consolidated to life, with Janelle Hawkes’ scenic artistry adding color and detail throughout. The projection screen is crisp and clear, a great tool for moving between the office and women’s outrageous fantasies. Avagliano’s lighting design is equally as strong, setting the tone for every shift in mood. With one small tweak to the framed photos of Hart during Roz’s “Heart to Hart,” which caught a bit of a glare, the look would be flawless.
Julie Jackson’s costumes, with support from Karen Sutherland, Robin Wolf-Smith, and Tina’s Costumes, Inc., are a delight. Judy’s wardrobe especially evolves beautifully alongside her. While a few costume pieces could have been matched more closely to the time period, the costume design felt like it came right out of 1979.
The live band is a true treat and highlight. Led by Musical Director Debbie Roland on piano, with Mike Moore (Percussion), Patrick Angelo (Percussion 2), Josh Tostevin (Woodwinds), Robert Roland (Guitar), and Dave Seals (Bass), they give Dolly’s score the warmth and drive it deserves. Mike Kropinack’s sound design supports this big, busy show. Every lyric lands as brilliantly as the music does.
Kudos to technical director Peter Avagliano and Assistant Technical Director Jason Spatz, Stage Managers Kim Tunney and Julie Morell, and Assistant Director Chip Garrison for keeping this very busy office running like clockwork. Tunney and Morell pulled double duty, performing onstage and running the show!
Pallitto closes his note, hoping that somewhere between the ringing phones and clicking typewriters, the audience would feel a little bit of Dolly in the room. On Dolly Parton Day in a house full of laughter, cheers, and clapping along to Dolly’s tunes, I can say for certain she was with us. This one was really for her.
9 to 5: The Musical runs at Gateway Playhouse in Somers Point through October 4. The run is completely sold out, which is no surprise, so keep an eye on Gateway's upcoming season. You won't want to miss what they do next!
