Tantrum Theater is in the middle of its eighth theater season, and it opened its second show of the season Friday. Tantrum Theater put on the show “9 to 5,” which follows Violet Newstead, Judy Bernly and Doralee Rhodes as they deal with their difficult boss.
The musical is based on the movie of the same name, and the music for the show was written by Dolly Parton. “9 to 5” was important when it was first released due to its message about empowering women and bringing about change, a message which is still pertinent today.
The production has been in the works for quite some time, according to the director of the show, Shanna VanDerwerker.
“When I got the confirmation that I was going to be the director and choreographer, we started production meetings via Zoom in April,” VanDerwerker said. “I came in for auditions in September, and I was here for two days.”
VanDerwerker was brought in by Tantrum Theater as a guest artist. She is from Chicago and teaches at Visceral Dance, Roosevelt University’s Conservatory of Performing Arts and Chicago College of Performing Arts. She has enjoyed every bit of the process of making the show come to life and feels there is an important message being sent.
“I think it's super important right now that we get to tell the story again because the women that inspired the movie inspired the show, are real women,” VanDerwerker said. “If it had not been for them and their voices and their fight, we would not be able to fight the way that we fight now.”
The process of creating the show called for learning lines, learning songs and learning dances. Wade Elkins, a third-year graduate student studying acting, plays Franklin Hart, the main antagonist. He shared some of his process preparing for his role.
“I did a lot of prep coming into it, and then just sort of started to ponder, ‘Who is this character?'” Elkins said. “'What does he want? Why is he the way he is? What is his past like?' Then it's just about memorizing, rehearsing with the other actors and the director.”
Many cast members want to bring their own unique touch to the character. This is what Grace Larger, a junior studying musical theater, hopes to do while playing the female ringleader of the group, Violet Newstead.
“I hope to bring some silliness because she does take herself very seriously, but the character is funny,” Larger said. “I hope that any little girls who watch know that they can be a CEO, and they can lead a show. I hope to make people smile.”
Some parts of the show proved to be more challenging because of the dancing and singing taking place. This was the case with Act 2 opener, “One of the Boys.”
“There's a lot of moving parts to it,” Larger said. “I don't want to give too much away, but there's a lot of there's a lot of set changing, dancing and excitement.”
Though the song proved to be difficult to learn, the cast executed the routine flawlessly at the Friday night performance. Audience members were engaged with the performance, and the song brought a great amount of applause.
Abby Golden, who plays Judy Bernly; Brooklyn Stanley, who plays Doralee Rhodes; and Larger, who plays Violet Newstead; had audiences applauding their performances. “Congratulations” and “amazing job” were frequent phrases spoken to cast members from members of the audience. The three women played the leading ladies with grace and sass, leaving audiences empowered and exhilarated.
“It was dynamic,” said Peter Rhynard, a junior studying biology. “It was loud. It was raunchy. It was wonderful. It was so good and has a wonderful message that still holds up. It is a gorgeous production of a classic piece.”
There is still time to see this production on stage. There will be a performance of “9 to 5” every night from Thursday to Saturday at 8 p.m. on the weeknights and 2 p.m. on Saturday. Ticket prices fall between $10 and $25, and free student rush tickets are available at the door while supplies last.
