Shifting gears and booting the boss; Summerset Theatre kicks off 48th season
Published 10:48 am Thursday, June 11, 2015
![Mandie Siems, as Judy Bernley, from left, Kaye Perry as Violet Newstead and Lia Culbert as Doralee Rhodes rehearse with the cast of the Summerset Theatre production of “9 to 5: The Musical” Wednesday night at Frank W. Bridges Theatre. -- Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com](https://www.austindailyherald.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2015/06/0611.Summerset1.jpg)
Mandie Siems, as Judy Bernley, from left, Kaye Perry as Violet Newstead and Lia Culbert as Doralee Rhodes rehearse with the cast of the Summerset Theatre production of “9 to 5: The Musical” Wednesday night at Frank W. Bridges Theatre. — Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Summerset Theatre is kicking off its 48th season Sunday with a theme many people can relate to: a difficult boss.
“9 to 5 The Musical” will open at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Frank W. Bridges Theatre on Riverland Community College’s east Austin campus. It will continue at 7:30 p.m. from June 15 to 20.
The musical features music and lyrics by Dolly Parton and a book by Patricia Resnick, and is based on the 20th Century Fox Picture.
“There’s a few big production numbers in it that are really good, both the singing and the choreography,” director Gordy Handeland said.
The play tells the story of one bad boss and three women looking to get even.
Pushed to the boiling point, three female co-workers concoct a plan to get even with their sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical boss. In a fun turn of events, Violet, Judy and Doralee live out their wildest fantasy: Kicking out their boss while taking control of the company that had always kept them down.
The film “9 to 5” starring Parton, Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda came out in 1980. The musical hit Broadway in 2009.
“Just a feel good show,” Handeland said. “There’s the ‘9 to 5,’ the movie — it basically follows that pretty close.”
The cast and crew have been rehearsing since early May, and Handeland said the actors are getting excited about the upcoming show. He hopes the audience will enjoy the show.
“I think the audience will really like it,” Handeland said. “So I hope they come to just have a good time.”
Summerset plays are chosen by a board of directors, and Riverland theater’s Executive Director Lindsey Williams said members try to get a variety of shows. She was excited about this show because Summerset hasn’t performed it before, and it stood out for the great tunes and the funny, relatable plot.
“It’s still a story and a movie that people know and love,” Williams said. “And of course the music is by Dolly Parton, so that’s really great.”
Williams said it’ll be a great way to kick off the season and the summer.
Tickets to “9 to 5 The Musical” are $16 for adults and $11 for children ages 16 and under. They are currently on sale at the Summerset Theatre Box Office in room E107 in Riverland’s east building in Austin or online at www.summersetaustin.org. The box office can be contacted at 507-433-0595 or by emailing boxoffice@riverland.edu.
Although auditions are finished for the three Summerset plays, there are opportunities to volunteer. Whether it’s painting set pieces or ushering during a show, Williams said there is something to fit everyone’s skill levels.
The show is recommended for ages 12 and up.
Volunteers needed
Although auditions are finished for the three Summerset plays, there are opportunities to volunteer. Whether it’s painting set pieces or ushering during a show, Riverland Director Lindsey Williams said there is something to fit everyone’s skill levels.
“We’re a community theater, and we’re always looking for volunteer helpers,” she said. “And there’s lots of jobs for a wide range of talents and interests.”
To volunteer, email Williams at lindsey.williams@riverland.edu.