9 to 5, starring the queen of country, Dolly Parton, was a film that aired in the early 80s. Popular, not only for its empowering female message but also for its inclusion of hilarious shenanigans and legendary soundtrack. Grosse Pointe Theatre’s release, like the film, tells the story of three very different women at their wit’s end who decide to hatch a plan when they are ultimately bonded by the misery of working for a “sexiest, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot” boss.
Director Rachel Settlage, who has over 20 years of experience in putting plays together, immediately jumped at the chance to reiterate the battle for equality, recalling how she, like many other women and girls, saw the film for the first time as a little girl when it was first released in theaters.
“I think it still resonates—the idea of women coming together and supporting each other,” Settlage said. “I mean, the Me Too movement shows that we still don’t have equality or equity for women in the workplace.”
Settlage is thrilled with all the progress the cast and crew have made over the past few months and in their recent performances.
“Even though everybody’s a volunteer, we just have such amazing talent—people who could be on Broadway if they wanted to be,” Settlage said.
Executive Director Linda Zublick, who is mainly in charge of handling the business side of things, was also thrilled to be a part of this season’s show, even when things, like they always do, get tricky.
“The show must go on—an old saying, but it’s true,” Zublick said. “We had someone last weekend sprain an ankle on stage maybe you reblock a number, you change something around, but you make it work.”
Small roadblocks like this one, in addition to having to perform complicated music like Dolly Parton’s, are no easy task. Still, the actors truly gave flawless performances and kept the audience engaged, even by breaking the fourth wall at times, which was sure to get a chuckle out of all those watching, including the orchestra.
“Live theater is an arts and culture experience, and it’s really important to share that with the community,” Zublick said. “That’s what we do, our mission is to connect, create and inspire communities through theater.”
