‘9 to 5’ works hard but stumbles among the fun | Review

Sure, it’s summer-vacation weather outside but Theater West End has chosen to head back to work with “9 to 5,” the musical based on the hit 1980 film that memorably brought together Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda and Dolly Parton as three savvy secretaries dealing with Dabney Coleman as their sexist pig of a boss.

The musical adaptation features the title song and other tunes by Parton, with a story adaptation by Patricia Resnick, who faithfully follows the movie — for better or worse.

Director Mayme Paul gets credit for keeping the energy high during the bane of many a production I’ve seen — the scene changes. She’s aided by the recorded music, which also serves as a movie-style underscore. Michelle Alagna’s choreography, which cheerfully embodies the hustle and bustle of the rat race, helps as well.

But Paul lets the pacing falter throughout the show. Yes, there’s a serious woman-power message throughout, but this is a zippy comedy at heart and too often it feels like there’s a lag between lines and laughs.

Not that there aren’t quite a few moments of fun. A pot-fueled fantasy sequence of how Violet, Judy and Doralee would avenge themselves on their misogynistic boss is particularly well-staged, and Alagna’s choreography again lifts the spirits in “One of the Boys,” a toe-tapping second-act number in which curiously Violet dances with the female ensemble members.

The faithfulness to the movie is hard on the leading ladies who can come across as watered-down versions of their iconic predecessors. And Resnick’s book leaves Amy Hughes’ Violet not gruff enough or warm enough, while Angela Tims’ underwritten Judy seemingly goes from incompetence to office prowess in the blink of an eye. Alexa Boese as sunny Doralee fares best — and all three women shine brighter when they are in scenes together.

Michael Colavolpe, fresh from Theater West End’s “Spring Awakening” adds the requisite sleaze factor to Mr. Hart, the boss. “Not bad-looking for a girl with a little tread worn off your tires,” he leers at a new hire. As his toady, Kelley Mauro is too understated at first — but comes alive in her very funny big number “Heart to Hart,” a twisted declaration of devotion.

Parton’s music might be the real star of the show: From the slinky “Heart to Hart” to the joyous “Shine Like the Sun” to the cathartic “Get Out and Stay Out” to the lovely “Let Love Grow,” the score shows her range as a songwriter while maintaining her plainspoken style.

Derek Critzer’s lighting also adds to the energy with a sense of fun and a patina of welcome camp in its changing colors.

Parton herself — always a pleasure to see — makes an appearance via video but for those of us of a certain age, she serves as a reminder that even though there’s certainly fun to be had during the stage musical, it never rises to the giddily subversive heights of its celluloid source material.

‘9 to 5’

• Length: 2:30, including intermission

• Where: Theater West End, 115 W. 1st St. in Sanford

• When: Through June 25

• Cost: $25 and up

• Info: theaterwestend.com

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