Avon Players’ ‘9 to 5 The Musical’ is Entertaining and Empowering

The hit 1980 workplace comedy film starring Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Dolly Parton sings and dances its way to the Avon Players stage as they present 9 to 5 The Musical, running Friday, May 27 – Saturday, June 11, 2016.

Judy (Megan Kulman) has never been a member of the workforce, but due to her divorce from her cheating husband, finds herself battling Xerox machines and other office perils on her first day of work at Consolidated Industries. Violet (Michele Kolosi) has worked long and hard for the company only to be passed over for promotion after promotion. Meanwhile secretary Doralee (Mackenzie McIlroy) is busy fending off the advances of the company’s domineering and lecherous president Franklin Hart (Ryan Donnellon). Soon the three women are commiserating and fantasizing about all of the comically violent punishments they want to exact upon their sexist bully of a boss. When fantasy nearly tips over into reality, the trio must band together and seize the opportunity to re-imagine the work conditions at Consolidated while keeping a lid on Hart’s true whereabouts.

The 1980 film that inspired the musical is listed on the American Film Institute’s “100 Funniest Movies” list. A box-office and critical success, it was Dolly Parton’s film debut and helped catapult her beyond her already considerable success as a country singer and songwriter into her permanent place in mainstream popular culture. The film’s title song, which is featured in the musical, was a number one hit on the Billboard charts, one of Parton’s more than 100 chart-toppers. Parton’s gift for memorable melodies and sensitive storytelling are on display in 9 to 5 The Musical for which she wrote the music and lyrics.

Tickets for all shows are $20 ($18 on Sundays for students and Seniors). Call 248.608.9077 for tickets or order online at www.AvonPlayers.org. Group rates are available by calling the box office. “Like” Avon Players Theatre on Facebook for special offers on tickets. Visa and MasterCard are accepted. All seats are reserved.  Show dates and times follow:

Friday, May 27                     8 p.m.

Saturday, May 28                8 p.m.

Sunday, May 29                   2 p.m.

Friday, June 3                      8 p.m.

Saturday, June 4                 8 p.m.

Sunday, June 5                    2 p.m.

Friday, June 10                   8 p.m.

Saturday, June 11               8 p.m.

Cast and Production Staff by Community:

Auburn Hills

Matt Croft (Musical Director)

Bloomfield Hills

Maritoni Harte (Choreographer)

Clarkston

Devon Thom (“Dick/Ensemble”)

Clawson

Katie Crombe (“Kathy/Ensemble”)

Clinton Township

Amanda Murray (“Ensemble”)

Commerce Township

Mackenzie McIlroy (“Doralee”)

Lake Orion

Bill Davenport (“Bob/Ensemble”)

Ortonville

Joy Oetjens (“Missy/Ensemble”)

Rochester Hills

Michael Berry (“Josh/Ensemble”)

John (JD) Deierlein (Technical Director)

Peggy Deierlein (Properties Design)

Ryan Donnellon (“Franklin Hart”)

Kathy Kade (“Roz”)

Emily Locke (“Ensemble”)

Royal Oak

Kristen Lussier (“Ensemble”)

Shelby Township

Jeff Bednar (“Joe/Ensemble”)

Jennifer Combs (Costume Design)

Mark Palmer (Producer)

Audrey Sharp (“Ensemble”)

Lori Smith (Director)

John Tonkovich (“Tinsworthy/Ensemble”)

St. Clair Shores

Megan Kulman (“Judy”)

Sterling Heights

Lia DiFonzo (“Maria/Ensemble”)

Steve Grady (“Dwayne/Ensemble”)

Troy

Paul Brill (“Ensemble”)

Warren

Michele Colosi (“Violet”)

Johanna Steinbrecer-Booker (“Margaret/Ensemble”)