{"id":56875,"date":"2024-02-12T09:23:19","date_gmt":"2024-02-12T14:23:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/news\/?p=56875"},"modified":"2024-02-21T07:57:53","modified_gmt":"2024-02-21T12:57:53","slug":"utc-theatre-co-presents-dolly-partons-9-to-5-the-musical","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/news\/2024\/02\/utc-theatre-co-presents-dolly-partons-9-to-5-the-musical\/","title":{"rendered":"UTC Theatre Co. presents Dolly Parton\u2019s \u201c9 to 5 the Musical\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"UTC

UTC students Pearson Smith (as Judy Bernly), left, Katie Mullins (as Violet Newstead) and Harrison Faulkner (as Franklin Hart Jr.) in the UTC Theatre Co. production of “9 to 5 the Musical.” Photo courtesy of UTC Theatre Co.<\/p><\/div>\n

Get ready for some fun as Judy, Doralee and Violet hatch a plan to kidnap their boss and put an end to their sexist workplace.<\/p>\n

Does that plot sound familiar?<\/p>\n

The UTC Theatre Co. will present \u201c9 to 5 the Musical\u201d from Feb. 27 through March 2 in the UTC Fine Arts Center\u2019s Dorothy Hackett Ward Theatre. Nightly shows begin at 7:30 p.m. with a 2 p.m. matinee performance on Saturday, March 2.<\/p>\n

\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014<\/p>\n

Tickets for “9 to 5 the Musical” can be purchased online\u00a0by clicking here<\/strong><\/a> and through the UTC Box Office\u2014in person or by phone (423-425-4369). Tickets are $25 for general admission and $20 for students (with proof of student ID) and seniors.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014<\/p>\n

\u201c9 to 5 the Musical\u201d is based on the 1980 film of the same name. With music and lyrics by Dolly Parton and a book by Patricia Resnick, the musical follows three women in 1979 who revolt against their nightmare of a boss.<\/p>\n

Steve Ray, head of the Department of Theatre and artistic director of the UTC Theatre Co., is directing the show.<\/p>\n

The musical boasts a cast and crew of over 50, with most of the theatre department participating in the production. The orchestra features professionally hired musicians from the community.<\/p>\n

Ray said this funny, empowering piece is a split from more serious shows from the last couple of years.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were also looking to have some fun,\u201d he explained. \u201cIt has serious subject matter as well, but it treats everything with a light touch and a comic flare, making a very important message easy and fun to watch.\u201d<\/p>\n

The show also posed an exciting challenge for Ray. With much of comedy\u2019s strength and success coming from timing, he said, the cast must learn when to deliver their lines and how to get the best reactions from the audience.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s almost always the most fun part for me,\u201d Ray said. \u201cI love working with comedy and helping students find the things that are funny, and I love it when audiences respond to that.\u201d<\/p>\n

When casting a show, he said it\u2019s important to know if you have at least one performer who can take on a specific role.<\/p>\n

For \u201c9 to 5,\u201d senior Nancy Tillman is one of those students. Tillman plays Doralee Rhodes, one of the stars of the show.<\/p>\n

\u201cI asked the actors auditioning for this role to really lean into Dolly Parton\u2019s vocalizations and mannerisms,\u201d Ray said. \u201cNancy did her research and brought a sense of Dolly to her audition without letting it become just an impersonation. She made it her own while also letting us see Dolly in the role.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tillman, a native of Franklin, Tennessee, has had \u201cthe most fun\u201d emulating the iconic singer and actress. She said it has been a \u201cvery silly and fun process trying to replicate\u201d Parton\u2019s distinct voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve never played a part where I was portraying a real person in any type of way,\u201d Tillman said, \u201cso I\u2019ve already had fun just searching old Dolly Parton pictures. I want to put some of those around my dressing room mirror just for inspiration.\u201d<\/p>\n

She has been in seven shows at UTC since transferring sophomore year from Austin Peay State University, and others outside of academic theatre. With so much experience, nerves are a tool for her, not a distraction.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think that the trick is figuring out how to channel your nervous energy into adrenaline and sort of using it as fuel as opposed to letting it overtake you,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

For more information, visit the UTC Theatre Co. page<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Cast<\/h4>\n