Culver City Observer -

Kentwood Players will hold open auditions for 9 to 5 the Musical, with Music and Lyrics by Dolly Parton, Book by Patricia Resnick, on Saturday, August 27, 2022 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm and Sunday, August 28 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Callbacks will be held on Monday, August 29 by invitation only. This is a non-equity, non-paid production directed by Kirk Larson, musical direction by Catherine Rahm, choreography by Marie Gleerup, and produced by Jeremy Palmer and Bouket Fingerhut for Kentwood Players with rights secured from Music Theatre International.

Performance dates are November 11th through December 10th, 2022 on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm, Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00pm. There are no performances Thanksgiving weekend, November 25 – 27. Auditions and performances take place at the Westchester Playhouse, located at 8301 Hindry Avenue in Westchester, CA 90045.

Based on the hit 1980 movie starring Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda, and Lily Tomlin, 9 to 5 the Musical tells the story about three workmates pushed to a boiling point by their sexist and egotistical boss. Outrageously funny, thought-provoking, and even a little romantic, this musical is about friendship and revenge in the Rolodex era.

Those auditioning must be fully vaccinated, with mask wearing required indoors unless performing onstage. Please read the play before auditioning to become familiar with the characters. No appointments are necessary to audition; just arrive to allow time to sign-in and complete paperwork during scheduled audition times. Please bring a current headshot and resume as well as your calendar as a rehearsal schedule will be posted at auditions and you will be asked to note any conflicts. Actors are asked to bring music in the style of the show and will be required to learn and perform a short dance number. Please be prepared to cold-read from the script at auditions. If you have any questions for the production team, please email 9to5@kentwoodplayers.org

Free street parking is available on 83rd Street and in the adjoining neighborhood, but not on Hindry Avenue, with left turns restricted on the corner of Hindry and Florence. So please read all traffic and parking signs carefully when you arrive to audition.

Character Breakdown:

Auditions for all characters are open to all ages, genders, ethnicities and physical abilities. Please see playable ranges below.

Violet – 40-50, F3 – D5. The company's Head Secretary and Mr. Hart's Administrative Assistant, she is a single mother and typically stands up for what she believes in. Attractive, strong, ambitious.

Doralee – 20-30, G3 – E5. A young, sexy spitfire who works at Mr. Hart's office. She is proof that there is more to a woman than just her looks.

Judy – 30-40, A3 – F5. The "new" girl at the firm, she has been burned by her husband's affair and is searching for personal empowerment. Insecure, determined, and hopeful.

Franklin Hart – 45-55, C3 – G4. One of the firm's executives and a notorious chauvinist. He is capable of faking charm but usually shows his true colors as an arrogant, self-absorbed boss.

Roz Keith – 35-45, G3 – C5. The attentive office gossip queen and snitch. She has an unrequited love for Mr. Hart and will do anything she can to win his approval.

Joe – 25-35, B2 – G4. A handsome, young office accountant. Genuine and nice, and smitten with Violet.

Dwayne – 25-35, A2 – G4. Doralee's attractive husband. He is very supportive of her professional pursuits.

Josh – 15-18. Violet's awkward teenage son.

Missy – 20-35. Franklin Hart's wife, clueless to her husband's true nature.

Maria – 20-30. A young and vibrant secretary in Hart's office.

Dick – 35-45. Judy's soon-to-be ex-husband. An average guy, he is sporting a little less hair and a little more paunch than he did ten years ago.

Kathy – 30-40. A secretary in Hart's office with a tendency to gossip.

Margaret – 30-40. A secretary in Hart's office with a tendency to drink.

Tinsworthy – 50-65. Franklin Hart's boss and Chairman of the Board. A good man, who may be wiser to Hart's ways than he lets on.

Ensemble – Office employees, police officers, hospital employees, etc.

To meet the 9 to 5 the Musical production team and learn more about Kentwood Players, the public is invited to attend our general membership meetings, which are free and held on the third Wednesday of each month at 7:30 pm at the Westchester Playhouse located two blocks west of the San Diego Freeway and two blocks north of Manchester at 8301 Hindry Avenue in Westchester, CA 90045. The production team can provide a Zoom link to participate in the meeting virtually.

COVID-19 Policy: Everyone ages 12 and over must show proof of vaccination and photo ID for admittance to the Westchester Playhouse. Face masks are required while inside the building unless performing onstage. This policy will be updated following Covid safety protocols as set by the city and county of Los Angeles.

Kentwood Players is a nonprofit theatre group dedicated to enriching, educating and entertaining our community through the transformative power of live theatre while creating an environment for inspiring human potential. As a 501C3 organization, donations to Kentwood Players are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. For more information about Kentwood Players including our current production and upcoming auditions, please visit the Kentwood Players website at http://www.kentwoodplayers.org. You can also find Kentwood Players information on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.