By Cindy GladdenRecord Staff WriterIn 1980, audiences first met three working women who took out their frustrations on their boss for inequality in the workplace. The original movie comedy, “9 to 5,” starred Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton and Dabney Coleman.Warrenton High School’s presentation of “9 to 5: The Musical” will be held Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Nov. 19-21, at 7 p.m. at the High School Commons.Kiersten McBride, student director, said she is enjoying her rookie role at handling all the background work for the production.“I prefer to be behind the scenes,” she said. “I work well under pressure. It’s fun to have all these problems to solve at once.”McBride said the cast has come a long way since they began working on the production. One of the challenges has been aging the cast members to play middle-age adults.Jamie Perry, adviser and theater teacher, also is a rookie at Warrenton High School, with “9 5o 5” being her first production. Perry studied speech, theatre and English education at Northwest Missouri State.“I needed a play with strong female leaders to fit the students this year,” she said. “There is a lot of girl power in this production. It will be fun and different.”Cast members who fill the roles of working women Violet, Doralee and Judy are Mary Broker, Emily Dowd and Natalie Brandwein. Playing sexist and hypocritical boss Franklin hart is Jake Carlton.“I am nothing like this character,” said Carlton. “It’s been a real challenge and a little weird. My mom was very surprised that I got the role that is so out of character for me.”Carlton said luckily he is great friends with his leading ladies, but has a hard time keeping a straight face, especially when they supposedly do him in.Mary Broker said Violet “is very me.” Broker said the play really made her think about the real issue of workplace inequality and how it’s still a problem 35 years after the original play.“It’s made it easier for me to talk about the issue,” she said. “Violet is deserving to the be CEO, but she’s a woman. That still happens.”Assistant stage manager Baylie Fowler said becoming involved in the production has really stretched her as a person. Although she said she would never enjoy being on stage, she feels a part of the “theater family.”Fowler said she helped McBride with all the details surrounding the production, which included sweeping the stage, making the sets, learning about lights and sound, and helping the cast stay emotionally stable.“I’m kind of fulfilling the role of mom,” she said. “The students involved have found a place where we belong. I’ve also met a lot of new people.”Warrenton High School traditionally offers a fall musical and a spring play. Perry has selected the spring production, which she has kept secret until now. “The Miracle Worker,” a challenging and intense production, is her choice.Tickets are $7 at the door. Please call the school office in advance for group rates. The production is rated PG-13 for adult themes.Warrenton High School will present “9 to 5: The Musical” Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Nov. 19-21. The comedy about workplace inequality takes place in the 1980s and is based on the original movie “9 to 5.” Pictured, from left, are cast members Emily Dowd, Jake Carlton, Mary Broker and Natalie Brandwein. Cindy Gladden Photo.
