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After preview shows on Thursday and Friday, Cape Fear Regional Theatre’s first production of the season, 9 to 5: The Musical, officially opened Saturday night — and it was every bit as hilarious as it was entertaining.
Based on the classic 20th Century Fox film, with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton, the show first hit the Broadway stage in April 2009. But no need to fly to New York — Cape Fear Regional Theatre delivers Broadway-quality performances right here at home.
Speaking of the legendary entertainer Dolly Parton, it is her voice that narrates the musical, guiding the audience through Violet Newstead’s story. It begins with Judy Bernly’s first day at work in a bustling office. Judy is portrayed by Jodi Bluestein, who returns to Cape Fear Regional Theatre’s stage after her role as Lilly in the 2019 production of Annie. Bluestein delivers a strong performance, capturing her character’s journey from insecurity to confidence.
9 to 5: The Musical stars Robert Newman as CEO Franklin Hart Jr. Many will recognize Newman from his nearly 30 years of playing Joshua Lewis on Guiding Light, a role that earned him two Daytime Emmy nominations. In 2022, he received another nomination for his portrayal of Ashland Locke on The Young and the Restless. In 9 to 5, Newman brings his character of a womanizing, egotistical boss to life with a top-shelf performance.
You can turn on your TV and catch Robert Newman in roles on Law & Order, House of Cards, Chicago Fire, Criminal Minds or even in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, just to name a few. But through Sept. 28, you can see him in person at the Cape Fear Regional Theatre.
The plot
9 to 5: The Musical tells the tale of three unlikely friends — Judy Bernly, Violet Newstead, and Doralee Rhodes — stuck working for the ultimate sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot of a boss. After being pushed past their breaking point, the trio cooks up some pretty wild revenge fantasies. But when a few outrageous twists of fate kick in, the group’s daydreams of a corporate takeover suddenly don’t seem so far-fetched.
According to narrator Dolly, the story takes us back to 1979. Cape Fear Regional Theatre captures the vintage vibe perfectly with period-appropriate wardrobes, hairstyles and even old-school push-button phones.
Because of some adult themes, content and language, 9 to 5: The Musical carries a PG-13 rating. At times the show gets downright risqué — but always in a hilarious way that keeps the audience howling with laughter.
Actress Livi Rose shines as Doralee Rhodes, the Dolly Parton-inspired character. She nails every detail, from the sweet Southern drawl to the signature golden locks. But it’s her powerhouse vocals that truly wow the crowd, so spot-on to Parton’s that the audience couldn’t help but cheer. Rose doesn’t just play Doralee — she embodies her.
“I’m gonna get that gun of mine … And I’m gonna change you from a rooster to a hen with one shot!”
— Doralee Rhodes
Heather Setzler takes on the role of Violet Newstead, the hard-working employee who’s repeatedly overlooked for promotion. Audiences may remember Setzler from her standout performance as Tanya in Mamma Mia! at Cape Fear Regional Theatre back in 2019. In 9 to 5, her portrayal of Violet feels like the backbone of the musical by grounding the story with heart and authenticity. As the seasoned worker tasked with training newcomers who eventually leapfrog her on the corporate ladder, Setzler captures both Violet’s frustration and resilience, giving a powerful voice to the struggles of the middle-class working woman.
“I’m a murderess. I’m gonna go to the pen. My poor kids.”
— Violet Newstead
Actress Sabrina Brush brings plenty of laughs as Roz Keith, the company gossip and Mr. Hart’s ever-loyal administrative assistant — who just so happens to be hopelessly in love with her boss. Roz gets some of the show’s best one-liners and most outrageous fantasy sequences, and Brush delivers them with perfect comedic timing. Making her Cape Fear Regional Theatre debut, she’s laugh-out-loud funny — and a performance you definitely don’t want to miss.
After the musical, I met three ladies — Tina Odom, Pat Cain and Cathy Johnson — who said they often attend shows at Cape Fear Regional Theatre and affectionately call themselves “the Widows Club.”
When I asked what they enjoyed most, their answers came quickly:
“Oh my gosh — Dolly!” Cain said. “She had her voice.”
“The boss,” Johnson chimed in, “especially when he came out in his leathers.”
“Yeah, that was a jaw-dropper,” Odom agreed with a laugh.
“It exceeded my expectations,” Odom added. “It was just awesome!”
I’m a fan of just about any production at Cape Fear Regional Theatre, but 9 to 5: The Musical has quickly become one of my favorites in recent years. Saturday’s opening-night audience loved it, and once word gets out, tickets are sure to sell fast. With exceptional talent, star power and standout storytelling, 9 to 5: The Musical is an absolute must-see.
9 to 5: The Musical runs until Sept. 28. For tickets or more information, call 910-323-4233, or go to cfrt.org.
