Music Review: 9 to 5 the Musical

9 to 5 the Musical: Original Broadway Cast Recording, music and lyrics by Dolly Parton.  This stars Allison Janney (Violet Newstead) Megan Hilty (Doralee Rhodes) and Stephanie J. Block (Judy Bernly)

This is a musical based on the original movie, and has some positive things to offer.  However some of the language is too graphic to consider this family entertainment.  They us the some song (“9 to 5”) Dolly Parton sang for the movie, but add lyrics to introduce the main characters.  “Around Here” is a catchy song with ensemble and the main characters explaining their job to the new employee.  We get to see more of the character Dolly Parton played in the song “backwoods Barbie.”  In this song the character explains that she dresses the way she does because it is country glam, not to gain sexual points with the boss.  However a couple of songs stand out above the rest.  There is a nice love song, “Let Love Grow.” 

Love can grow in the strangest places,
Might find love in strangers faces.
Waiting just around the corner for all you know.

Love can grow where you least expect it,
Take and chance and don't reject it.
Love will grow if one just lets it,
Let love grow.

 

However the song I most enjoy is the postive thinking song.  There is a bonus version sung by Dolly Parton, and that is my favorite. 

Hello...I know you've got a world of problems.
And you think you can't do anything to solve ?em;
But I am here to tell you you can.

Somethin' got you down got you chained and bound
Well break it. (Face it)
If you've built a wall and know it needs to fall
Then shake it. (Replace it)
Somethin' that you know is dammin' up the ­flow
Tear the damn dam down.
Let me explain it.
If you don't take the reigns it's going to stay the same
Nothin's gonna change if you don't change it.

You got somethin' on your mind that's naggin' all the time
Well nix it. (Resist it)
Somethin' in your life that just ain't sittin' right
Well ‑face it. (Just kick it)
If you've lost your place somethin' in your face
If there's an empty space and you can't name it.
That feelin' in your gut that's got you in a rut
You're made of better stuff and you can change it.

1st Chorus:

Change it
You don't want your little light to never shine.
Change it
Turn it up on bright and get your goals in line.
There's a great new world out there
For those who dare to claim it.
A better day is on the way and only you can change it.
This is a show that confronted sexism and sexual harassment in the work place.  It does a very good job of this.  Dolly Parton’s music hits the mark in this regard, and she is a talent.  It is wonderful that her talent was portrayed on Broadway.