Country music legend Dolly Parton has had her fair share of hits over the decades of her storied career, but one of her most enduring songs today is still “9 to 5.”
Parton originally wrote it for the 1980 comedy film by the same name starring Parton, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin in the lead roles.
Now, actors at Centralia’s Evergreen Playhouse are preparing to perform “9 to 5: The Musical,” based on the film’s screenplay written by Patricia Resnick, starting this Friday. It is being directed by Tim Donnell, with Danielle Kays providing additional vocalist direction and lighting design.
“When 9 to 5: The Musical premiered, it brought with it the same irreverent humor and righteous energy that made the original ‘9 to 5’ such a cultural touchstone,” Donnell said in the director’s note in the show’s program. “With music and lyrics by the incomparable Dolly Parton, this story remains as sharp, relevant and cathartic today as it was when audiences first met Violet, Judy and Doralee. At its heart, 9 to 5 is about championing change as each of our main characters go on a journey of personal or professional growth. We watch as friendship is forged under pressure and women — fed up from being underestimated, overlooked and objectified — finally take matters into their own hands; after all, ‘nothin’s gonna change if you don’t change it!’ While the world has evolved since the 1980s, the themes of workplace inequality, gender bias and the fight for respect still resonate deeply. This show invites us to laugh at the absurdity of outdated systems, but it also challenges us to reflect on how far we’ve come and how far we still have to go.”
The musical’s cast includes:
• Lucy Page as Violet Newstead
• Emma Sorensen as Judy Bernly
• Emilie Brown as Doralee Rhodes
• Robert Kam as Franklin Hart
• Christine Goode as Roz Keith
• Kolten Tomlin as Joe and an ensemble member
• Tanner Huntting as Dwayne Rhodes and an ensemble member
• Emily Fitzgerald as Missy Hart and an ensemble member
• Zephaniah Harris as Josh, Bob and an ensemble member
• Derek Wilson as Mr. Tinsworthy and an ensemble member
• Jennifer Wallace as Margaret and an ensemble member
• Olivia Chaney as Maria and an ensemble member
• Sydney Keith as Kathy and an ensemble member
• Kameron Bustetter as Dick Bernly, the cop and an ensemble member
• Erika Skorstad as the candy striper and an ensemble member
• Asia Conner as the doctor and an ensemble member
• Dodi Forgione as the detective and an ensemble member
• Buster the Dummy as the corpse
Donnell added this show has always been a dream of his to direct, and that he has, “been continually blown away by the commitment and spirit of each and every member of the cast and crew. Everyone united with a singular goal: to put on a stellar show. It is our wish to give you a momentary escape from the realities of life in 2026 in this celebration of resilience and solidarity. We hope you laugh loudly, cheer boldly, and, perhaps, leave feeling just a little more empowered than when you arrived. Thank you for supporting live theatre!”
Joining Donnell and Kays on the production crew are Alanna Knudsen, choreographer; Matthew Michael, stage manager; Shari Blackwell, costume design; Alene Stewart, props and set dressing; Isaac McKenzieSullivan, set design; Emily Fitzgerald, set painter; Eliza Conner, sound board operator; Janelle Lunzman, light board operator; Michelle Koenen, house manager; and Nathaniel McKenzieSullivan, Mark Pendleton and Brian Hollander on set construction.
Shows begin at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays, March 20, March 27 and April 3, and Saturdays, March 21, March 28 and April 4. Sunday performances on March 22, March 29 and April 5 begin at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $17 for students and seniors. A special “pay what you can” performance will also be held on Thursday, March 26, beginning at 7:30 p.m. The Evergreen Playhouse is located at 226 W. Center St. in Centralia.
To purchase tickets or reserve a seat at the “pay what you can” performance, visit Evergreen Playhouse’s website at https://tinyurl.com/fdrbnyj4.
Sponsors of the Evergreen Playhouse include Rectangle Gallery & Creative Space, Hubbub, Book’n’Brush, Bob Holland Insurance, Thunder Autosound, Access Security Inc., Affordable Lawn Care, D Best Adventures, Designs by Danielle, Dick’s Brewing Company, O’Blarney’s at the Gibson House, Olympia Little Theater and PostNet Centralia.
For more information, visit Evergreen Playhouse’s website at https://evergreenplayhouse.com/.
