When people are dancing in the audience, you know you've put on a good show.
The cast of Auburn University Theatre's "9 to 5: The Musical" beamed as the house lights came up to a standing ovation Feb. 21.
"9 to 5" follows three plucky female employees who take a stand against their slime ball of a boss, Franklin Hart, and challenge women's rights in the workplace. The energetic musical is based on the film starring Dolly Parton and features Parton's original music and lyrics.
Jake Heflin, junior in theatre, portrayed the heartless Hart and filled out a larger than life character audiences love to hate.
For Heflin, it was a stretch to play a "sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot," as Hart is described by the musical's heroines, Violet, Judy and Doralee.
"He's special in his own villainous and rotten way," Heflin said. "I'm not that kind of person, so having to play the exact opposite of who you are is really harder than you'd think."
In the Act 1 show-stopping number, "Here For You," as Hart, Heflin oozes chauvinism as he gyrates on top of his desk, fearlessly laughable and surrounded by thrusting pinstriped male co-workers openly lusting after the bombshell Doralee, played by Daley Browning, junior in musical theatre.
Doralee, the "backwoods Barbie," takes on Hart's office harassment with a quick wit, a sharp tongue and a concealed weapon.
"It's a character I've never really played before," Browning said. "Being able to kind of let loose and be a little bit more wild and a little bit more sassy was a lot of fun."
Browning was at the top of her game and showed off her vocal chops in songs written for one of the most recognizable country music stars.
Auburn Theatre veteran Anna Claire Walker, senior in musical theatre, took the stage as Doralee's compatriot, Violet. The harried single mother of a teenage son, Violet has her sights set on a managerial position at the office.
With impressive comedic timing, Walker once again proved to be an invaluable member of the cast and an astute character actress.
"She's got a very dry humor and isn't afraid of standing up to Hart," Walker said.
According to Walker, the play uses comedy to approach issues of women's equality.
"It definitely unveils some questions that are still very relevant today," Walker said.
Rachel Pair, senior in musical theatre, filled out the trio as the simultaneously poignant and hilarious Judy.
Nursing a broken heart, Judy joins the staff of Consolidated Companies and is clearly in over her head before befriending Violet and Doralee.
Pair nailed the sugary-sweet depiction of Judy and clearly defined her transition into fierce independence with the power ballad, "Get Out and Stay Out."
"Every girl's been hurt before and it's kind of cool to have that redeeming story," Pair said.
Orchestrating much of the tech-heavy performance from behind the scenes was stage manager Taylor Dyleski, senior in theatre.
"It's something that can relate to everyone even if you've never worked in an office," Dyleski said. "The audience is cheering for someone."
One of Dyleski's responsibilities was coordinating a 46-second quick change of 22 actors.
"That's the kind of thing we had to think through from the very beginning," Dyleski said. "It was a long tech process but it all came together really well."
Dyleski spoke out for some of the unsung heroes of the production, including the male ensemble performers and theatre office administrator, Kimberly Ford.
The 24 student performers - many of whom had little or no dance experience - directed by Chase Bringardner, brought Dolly Parton's music and lyrics to life on a1970s office set.
Rolling desks, chairs and office equipment made way for Jeri Dickey's toe-tapping choreography. Projections lit up the bare walls on set to define time and place as designed by Matt Kizer.
Theatre costume designer Tracy Olenick showed impressive range from neutral, period-specific office wear to fantasy-scene, fairytale princess gowns.
The story swept along at a clip accompanied by a live orchestra. Lively and comedic, the theme of the story was not lost on the audience. Facts and figures printed in the program reminded patrons that women are paid approximately $12,000 less annually than men even today.
"Women still have to fight more to move up in rankings and the actors have portrayed that in a comical way," said Alyssa Armstrong, freshman in elementary education.
"9 to 5: The Musical" is a rallying cry for pencil pushers and underdogs everywhere.
The show is playing in the Telfair Peet Theatre until March 2.
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