Work isn鈥檛 just a place you go; it鈥檚 a fight for respect, recognition, and the right to dream bigger. That鈥檚 the heartbeat of 9 to 5: The Musical, and it鈥檚 taking center stage as the School of Theatre & Dance at the University of South Florida brings this cult classic to life. Even better? Admission is completely free.
Based on the 1980 hit film starring Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda, and Lily Tomlin, 9 to 5: The Musical channels all the charm, wit, and outrage of its big-screen origin 鈥� this time set to an original score by Parton herself. It鈥檚 a fast-paced, laugh-out-loud romp that tackles toxic office culture, gender inequality, and the power of solidarity, all with rhinestone flair.
The show follows three underappreciated office workers who band together to take down their chauvinistic boss and reimagine their workplace on their own terms. It鈥檚 subversive, it鈥檚 empowering, and it鈥檚 unexpectedly joyful 鈥� just like the anthem that made the movie iconic. (Fun fact: 鈥�9 to 5鈥� became one of Dolly Parton鈥檚 biggest hits and earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song.)
In many ways, the timing couldn鈥檛 be more perfect. 9 to 5 will close out the College of Design, Art & Performance鈥檚 inaugural SPOTLIGHT Festival on Friday, April 25 鈥� bringing an unforgettable dose of music, dance, and rebellious charm to the festival鈥檚 grand finale. This marks the final production of the spring semester, and the students are leaving it all on the stage.
Jalyn King, who plays Violet, says the experience has been nothing short of transformative. 鈥淚 absolutely adore playing Violet and performing here at USF! The shows are always a blast and push us to be our best selves. It鈥檚 been incredible to spend time with my friends and watch them grow, and I鈥檓 so grateful for the overwhelming love and support from my cast and crew. 9 to 5 is definitely going to be a hit, we鈥檝e got such a talented team behind it! A big shoutout to my theater family!鈥�
That 鈥渢heater family鈥� includes not only a standout cast but also an all-star crew of designers, technicians, and creatives, many of whom have been working behind the scenes for months. The choreography is sharp, the staging is bold, and the ensemble鈥檚 chemistry crackles with energy.
Larissa Tagami da Silva, one of the production鈥檚 dance captains, reflects on the process: 鈥淲orking as dance captain on 9 to 5 has been such a joy 鈥� the cast鈥檚 commitment, energy, and growth throughout this process has been incredible to witness. I鈥檓 so proud of what we鈥檝e built together.鈥�
And it shows.
With sharp comedy, high-octane dance numbers, and songs that stay with you long after curtain call, 9 to 5 is more than a musical 鈥� it鈥檚 a movement. It鈥檚 a reminder that art can challenge, entertain, and uplift all at once. That鈥檚 the kind of story worth telling, and the kind of performance worth showing up for.
So go ahead. Clock out early. Grab your friends. And catch the show.
9-5: The Musical Performance Schedule:
Thursday, April 24 and Friday, April 25 at 7:30 PM
Saturday, April 26 at 2 PM and 7:30 PM
USF Theatre 1, Tampa Campus
Admission is FREE for all.
For more details
CAST:
Ashley Browning, Ashley Hendricks, Jalyn King, Cody Farkas, Kristin Brazzell, Sam
Lipsey, Angela Bernard-Lucien, Ava Meyer, Sam Hernandez, Kaylyn Richardson, Pax Matos,
Matthew Gasperino, Preston Kifer, Logan Marou, Anna Smith, Melanie Martinez, Holden
Droege, Larissa Tagami da Silva, Michael Vega, Nicole Espinel, Ge'Niya Lewter, Shawna
Hopper, Carsen Brown, Jackson Stoe, Mandi Rotolo, Seth Henley-Beasley, Sanya Robinson,
Tony Rodriguez, Sasha Martell
CREW:
Director: Alexis Carra, Producer: Jenny Kokai, Music director: Latoya McCormick, Choreographer:
Ben Hartley, Assistant director: Chris Jackson, Stage manager: Aurora Puegh, ASM:
Melanie Merkel, Lake Deloach, Erica Schmitt, Swing: Sasha Martell, Dance captain:
Larissa Tagami da Silva, Holden Droege, Stage combat coordinator: Landon Green, Assistant
music director: Ricardo Antasio, Costume designer: Liz Bourgeois, Wardrobe supervisor:
Nicolas Raffenaud, Assistant costume designers: Maeve Lyrek, Danielle Olivera, Lexi
Petry, Costume shop manager: Del Rinehart, Lighting designer: Beau Edwardson, Assistant
lighting designer: Layal Motasem, Scenic designer: Jo Winiarski, Light board operator:
Alex Davis, Spot operators: Frog Evans, Aidan Thompson, Paint/props supervisor: Lindsay
Raines, Sound designer: Ben Jones, Sound: Nicholas Cruz, Luke Gabriel, Wardrobe crew:
Harley Jones, Roisin Langton, Fly/deck crew: Emily Sklaver, Tori Flounders, Kelsey
Williams, Technical director: Chris Pyfrom, Production operations manager: Anthony
Vito
And special thanks to The University Singers for their choir work on the show.