Three strong leading ladies — Korrie Taylor, Shannon Tompkins and Gabrielle Gorman — infuse “9 to 5, The Musical” with both humor and harmony. The two-hour show based on the 1980 movie starring Dolly Parton, Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda runs through Sept. 26, at CNY Playhouse, at Shoppingtown DeWitt.
Taylor and Tompkins each boast lengthy resumes including directing and choreography experience as well as plenty of performing roles. Gorman — a master’s degree candidate at the University of Buffalo — has fewer credits but possesses a singing voice to die for. As Judy, the soon-to-be-divorced new girl in the office, she hits all the high notes on tunes such as “I Just Might” and “Get Out and Stay Out.”
Taylor plays the curvaceous Texan, DoraLee, the focus of the boss’s relentless lust. Employing an effectively subtle drawl, Taylor’s devil-may-care DoraLee is as laughable as she is lovable, as best demonstrated by her showcase number, “Backwoods Barbie.”
Best of all, however, is Shannon Tompkins as the indomitable Violet, a widowed single mom who manages the Consolidated Industries office. Tompkins takes the reins early in Act 1 leading the ensemble in “Around Here,” a romping tune in which the office staff advises Judy how to survive the work environment.
To open Act 2, a white-clad Tompkins literally shines as she sings and dances to the finger-snapping “One of the Boys.” This Violet is clearly CEO material.
As in the famous film, the musical’s plot revolves around revenge. Pushed to the boiling point, Violet, Doralee and Judy concoct a plan to get even with Franklin Hart — the sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot they call their boss — played with exquisite smarminess by a mustachioed Robert Searle.
The show’s highlight is a three-song stretch toward the end of Act 1 during which the three scheming ladies light up a joint. In the ensuring fantasies, Gorman delivers a film noir parody with “Dance of Death,” followed by Taylor’s “Cowgirl’s Revenge” and Tompkins’ Potion Notion.” No wonder the boss ends up bound and chained, suspended from the ceiling.
With a cast of 18, a seven-piece pit band led by music director Abel Searor and a relatively new stage-microphone system, director Stephfond Brunson certainly had his hands full, but he carefully kept all the parts in order and the pacing quick as a wink. When the microphones switched on-and-off haphazardly in Act 1, the lyrics to several songs were obscured. To their credit, the cast forged ahead no matter how serious the sound glitch.
The indefatigable Kathy Egloff portrays Roz, who harbors a passionate crush on the boss. She ably vocalizes the bittersweet “Heart to Hart” and Act 2’s “5 to 9.”
In a smaller role, the multi-talented Leila Dean plays the office lush, Margaret. Dean’s excellent acting was complemented by her makeup. She gave Margaret a witchy, baggy-eyed look that contrasted starkly with her miraculous makeover at the play’s climax.
Supporting performers include Maria Claps, Kate Crawford, Nic Maclane, Joleene Moody and Zach Siracuse. The ensemble featured the hilariously expressive Liam Fitzpatrick along with Jay Burris, Kelsie Deyo, Samantha Horner, Terri Kennedy, Mike King and Jesse Navagh.
“9 to 5, The Musical” runs at 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Sept. 17, 18 and 19 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22, and 8 p.m. Sept. 24, 25 and 26. Tickets cost $22 on Thursday, and $25 Friday and Saturday. Chicken marsala dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19; $39.95 for both the meal and the performance. CNY Playhouse is located near the Macy’s entrance at DeWitt’s ShoppingTown Mall; 885-8960; cnyplayhouse.com.
Shannon Tompkins, Korrie Taylor and Gabrielle Gorman in “9 to 5, The Musical” now playing at CNY Playhouse at Shoppingtown DeWitt.
