9 to 5 the Musical at the Egyptian Theatre
The Ziegfeld Theatre’s production of ‘9 to 5-The Musical’ brings Violet, Judy and Doralee, three beloved and empowered female characters who emerged from the 1980’s silver screen, to The Egyptian Theatre stage. Meet this terrific and sometimes terrifying trio from September 10 to 19.
The original Broadway play (2008) based on the popular 1980 film, was originally conceived and commissioned by the leaders of the ‘9to5 movement’ and the National Association of Working Women. They met with Jane Fonda to collaborate on a film which would raise public awareness of workplace conditions, need for protections and start conversations.
“Comedy is a powerful tool. It helps bring light and joy into a room,” says director Becky Hunt- Knowles. “To us, the satire in "9 to 5" is like a flashlight. A chance for things that happened in the dark to be brought to light. It is in this same way, we hope to start the next chapter of change; by making fun of a serious subject in order to validate and illuminate the struggles we all face.”
“Jordyn Aspyn, Cate Conroy, and Clarissa Wykstra in the lead roles are some of the most talented, powerful women I have ever worked with,” says Hunt-Knowles. “The characters make an odd trio; at least at first, but what has made this production unique is the way each character supports each other as they begin to take charge of their shared destiny.”
What’s it like to be a female director of strong female characters who take charge? “It has been incredibly humbling and a huge honor to use my own life experiences to assist in telling this story,” she explains. “ For centuries, women have been treated like like second class citizens. The same cycle of devaluation of the female sex repeating over and over throughout the ages; the cycle being perpetuated even to this day. I, like so many other women, have known what it is like to feel dis-empowered and overlooked based on gender. This project has afforded me the rare opportunity to harness that wisdom and power of those who came before me, commune with and learn from other incredible females, and seize the opportunity to effect change and inspire others to tell THEIR stories.”
Their production is an inter-office-love-letter to those early leaders in the 9to5 movement. “Those that came before us to take charge and make change. We still have that chance today. If you are looking for a way to support this movement today, check out and support the SEIU local 925 union; a union that was formed as a result of the 9to5 movement and the story of 9 to 5.”
Violet, Judy and Doralee, have been inspiring working women across the country for over 40 years! Come to The Ziegfeld’s ‘9 To 5 - The Musical’ and feel the heat! https://egyptiantheatrecompany.org/