LAKEPORT—Over the weekend the Lake County Theatre Company held its final performances of the musical 9 to 5 at the Soper Reese Theatre in Lakeport. Written by Patricia Resnick with music by Dolly Parton, the show opened on October 27 and ended November 12. Next they prepare for their Spring performance of Steel Magnolias.
The 1980s film classic was a first for the group including Director Larry Richardson who shared in the show’s program “Directing is more complex than expected.” He continued “However, the great part of directing a show is bringing joy to the community.” Which couldn’t have rang truer as the audience was kept in stitches throughout the entire musical. Richardson noted “The cast will walk into the theatre singing 9 to 5 and you will walk out of the theatre singing 9 to 5.”
For those who haven’t seen the original production featuring Dolly Parton as Doralee Rhodes (played by June Wilson-Clarkin), Jane Fonda as Judy Bernley, (played by Claire Jacobs) and Lily Tomlin as Violet Newstead (played by Laura McAndrews Sammel), it features the three women in an office type workplace, opposed by a chauvinistic boss named Mr. Hart (originally played by Dabney Coleman, here played by Doug Cembellin) who makes their lives miserable. The women devise a light-hearted plan to poison their horrible boss, and then accidentally carry it out – or so they think. Comedy ensues as the story unfolds and the patrons revered in the live on stage antics.
The audience was visibly taken aback in Act One Scene Six when Doralee (Wilson-Clarkin) confronted her boss Mr. Hart (Cembellin) for spreading rumors about her and threatened him with a gun exclaiming “I’ll turn you from a rooster to a hen in one second!” Later on in Act Two Scene Three the cast drove home one of the underlying themes singing “Ain’t nothing gonna change if you don’t change it.” Which the main characters all inadvertently did throughout the musical, aiding in their own personal journey of self awareness.
The LCTC is already planning their next production slotted for Spring which will be “Steel Magnolias” directed by Becky Vreeland. This will be Vreeland’s third production after Driving Miss Daisy and Fishwrap, though it differs as it will include an all female cast and will be presented at the Boatique Winery in Kelseyville. Vreeland expressed her gratitude stating “We wanted to try it out in a different environment and jumped on the opportunity to perform at Boatique.” Though the remote venue does arouse some logistical issues, like the need for a mobile stage, it will also offer the audience a refreshing environment and according to Vreeland will feel “Not really like a dinner theatre but like a cocktail hour speakeasy instead.” As of course Boatique will be providing the wine.
The play itself was written by Robert Harling in 1987 and is set in a southern hair salon while the storyline is based around six women who become amazing friends. “It’s very funny and has a lot of heart to it.” Noted Vreeland, who is excited to direct under such different circumstances.
Auditions are set to begin December 14 from 6 to 8 p.m. and December 16 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the audition venue is yet to be announced. Rehearsals will start on January 10 and are being held at the Kelseyville Senior Center. More information including available parts and scripts can be found on the LCTC website LCTC.us or laketheatre.org.
