by Patrick White
9 to 5: The Musical playing at Mac-Haydn Theatre in Chatham with a spirited performance for only two more performances on Sunday is a very appealing pop, sugar rush of a musical which still has the feminist power to challenge your assumptions.
It opens surprisingly with a video introduction from the beloved country pop star Dolly Parton, who wrote the music and lyrics to 9 to 5, her first Broadway show. It is a silly and somewhat appropriate entry into this stage musical made out of a very popular 1980 movie which starred Parton, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. The musical adaptation has a book by Patricia Resnick. The video put a dumb grin on my face. It’s Dolly! In Chatham!We are immediately launched into the title track which is by far the strongest song in the show and gets every toe tapping along. The rhythm, lyrics and propulsive morning swing could get you dancing along in your seats and mouthing the lyrics: “Working 9 to 5, what a way to make a living/ Barely getting by, it’s all taking and no giving.”
At The Mac, director Eoghan Hartley and choreographer Sarah Juliet Shaw, costumer Bethany Marx and Music Director Connor Crotzer Scartascini do the number justice, instantly plunging us into the Reagan 80’s and its browns, grays, suspendered consolidated world of male privilege.
Bridget Carrow and Ensemble in “9 to 5”, directed by Eoghan Hartley, at the Mac-Haydn Theatre. Photo by Ann Kielbasa-Flach. 
Michael Daly in “9 to 5”, directed by Eoghan Hartley, at the Mac-Haydn Theatre. Photo by Ann Kielbasa-Flach. 
Kristen Clark in “9 to 5”, directed by Eoghan Hartley, at the Mac-Haydn Theatre. Photo by Ann Kielbasa-Flach. 
Caitlin Wilayto in “9 to 5”, directed by Eoghan Hartley, at the Mac-Haydn Theatre. Photo by Ann Kielbasa-Flach. 
Michael Daly, Caitlin Wilayto, Bridget Carrow and Tzintli Cerda in “9 to 5”, directed by Eoghan Hartley, at the Mac-Haydn Theatre. Photo by Ann Kielbasa-Flach. 
Tzintli Cerda and Bridget Carrow in “9 to 5”, directed by Eoghan Hartley, at the Mac-Haydn Theatre. Photo by Ann Kielbasa-Flach. 
Caitlin Wilayto, Bridget Carrow and Tzintli Cerda in “9 to 5”, directed by Eoghan Hartley, at the Mac-Haydn Theatre. Photo by Ann Kielbasa-Flach. 
Caitlin Wilayto and Tzintli Cerda Caitlin Wilayto, Bridget Carrow and Tzintli Cerda in “9 to 5”, directed by Eoghan Hartley, at the Mac-Haydn Theatre. Photo by Ann Kielbasa-Flach. 
Emmett Mazurowski and Bridget Carrow in “9 to 5”, directed by Eoghan Hartley, at the Mac-Haydn Theatre. Photo by Ann Kielbasa-Flach. 
The ensemble of “9 to 5”, directed by Eoghan Hartley, at the Mac-Haydn Theatre. Photo by Ann Kielbasa-Flach. 
If you don’t remember or somehow have never seen the movie, 9 to 5 is about three secretaries who take revenge for being mistreated as women by kidnapping their boss, holding him hostage and turn the tables on him by revolutionizing the office culture with initiatives for work share, child care and longer lunch breaks which are almost instantly recognized for their success with increased productivity.
Our trio of wonder women are the powerful and commanding Bridget Carrow in the Lily Tomlin role of Violet Newstead, Tzintli Cerda’s Judy Bernly who begins the show haplessly in her first job and builds to her roof raiser “Get Out and Stay Out” which is the only other song to challenge the title track’s primacy. Finally, there is Caitlin Wilayto who sweetly plays the “aw shucks” Doralee Rhodes who can threaten the boss convincingly that she will turn him from a rooster into a hen.
The sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot of an overseer is named Franklin Hart Jr. and is played by Michael Daly with a delicious savoring of his male prerogative. Kristen Clark provokes many chuckles as the deluded, office snitch Roz Keith who blindly chases after him. I got a lump in my throat watching the duet “Let Love Grow” between Carrow and the charming Hudson Brown.
46 years after the movie and somehow we didn’t choose a woman to be the country’s CEO in the last election. Because of the beauty of the Mac’s in-the-round staging I was able to watch the entire production through the eyes of two preteen girls sitting with their proud grandmother in the front row of the section opposite mine. I hope their notes were far more detailed, appreciative and prescriptive than mine.
The Mac-Haydn Theatre presents “9 to 5: The Musical”, book by Patricia Resnick, score by Dolly Parton, directed by Eoghan Hartley from June 25-July 5, 2026. CAST: Bridget Carrow as Violet Newstead, Caitlin Wilayto as Doralee Rhodes, Tzintli Cerda as Judy Bernly, Michael Daly as Franklin Hart Jr., Kristen Clark as Roz Keith, Patrick Hefferman as Tinsworthy, Emmett Mazurowski as Josh, Jack Gemmell as Dwyane, Delaney Bailey as Margaret, Hudson Brown as Joe, Ricky Dobbs, Aubrey Dunbar, Gaby Flores as Maria, Will Forrest, Grace Maudlin as Kathy, Bella Pavia, Fiona Phelps. CREATIVE TEAM: Choreographer Sarah Juliet Shaw, Costume Designer Bethany Marx, Music Director Connor Crotzer Scartascini, Assistant Music Director Ethan Swanson, Scenic Designer Alivia Cross, Lighting Designer Andrew Gmoser, Sound Designer George LaChance, Props by Chloe Weiderhorn, Hair and Makeup by Summer McCormack, Production Stage Manager Sadie Mickelson, Assistant Stage Manager Samantha Wood.
Performances June 25, 2:00 & 7:30pm; June 26, 7:30pm; June 27, 2:00 & 7:00pm; June 28, 2:00pm; July 1, 2:00pm; July 2, 2:00 & 7:30pm; July 3, 7:30pm; July 5, 2:00pm & 7:00pm.
Mac-Haydn Theatre, 1925 NY-203, Chatham, NY
Tickets available at www.machaydntheatre.org or by calling the box office at (518) 392-9292.
Run time: 2 hours, 10 minutes (including intermission)