The Road to the Show: Tech Tuesday

The cast of 9 to 5 has been in rehearsals for while and were supposed to have their first tech rehearsal on their outdoor stage on Sunday, but rainy weather forced them to practice indoors. Then Monday's rehearsal was rained out as well, so Tuesday was actually the first time that the cast had run the show on the soggy Richter stage. Running the show in a rehearsal space is certainly not a waste of time, but much of the final blocking and lighting cues must be worked out on the actual stage. Not to mention that this was the first time that Music Director Daniel Koch had the entire band in their band shell. So Director Donald Birely had a lot to do on this soupy summer evening that I was once again invited to travel to Danbury to attend a rehearsal.

Mr. Birely told me that he enjoys this musical because of the comraderie among the female characters in the show, as well as the relatively large number of principle roles for actresses. The actresses began to emerge from their dressing rooms in their seventies ensembles, some gingerly carrying their changes on hangers as they walked through the wet grass to the backstage area. The director had told the ladies to wear sneakers instead of their proper shoes because the stage was still too slippery. The guys began to appear in the very loud pants and jackets that every office worker wore in the seventies.

The large stage had been transformed from the way it had been decorated for Some Enchanted Evening into an office scene. Volunteers were finishing a moveable door and a large fan was running on one side of the stage attempting to dry it off. The director and a volunteer added a few last minute stage decorations near the faux elevator at the back of the set. Volunteers helped to hook up the necessary electrical cords for the musicians to be heard. Actresses confirmed their costume changes with the wonderful costumer Renee Purdy, who had doused herself in bug spray as soon as she arrived.  MAR Secretary Jennie Lozier was probably the busiest person, sorting out props that were stored in large plastic tubs and readying the moveable set pieces.

Priscilla Squiers came over to introduce herself, dressed in a caftan. This actress also helps out with publicity for Muscials at Richter so we often e-mail each other. In 9 to 5 she plays the pampered wife of the boss and gets to change into some great costumes designed by Ms. Purdy. She told me that this cast is a mixture of MAR veterans and new faces.

One of these veterans is Julliette Garrison Koch, who plays the lead role of Violet. Ms. Koch is the wife of the music director and she introduced me to her son Spencer who coincidently plays the role of her son in the show. She also introduced me to the choreographer Jen Turey of Newtown's Dance Etc. Ms. Turey is expecting her third baby and sat near me to watch the rehearsal with a careful eye. These two vets remembered aloud when MAR did Godspell several years ago. Due to uncooperative weather, the first time the cast performed on the outdoor stage was opening night.

Immediately before the rehearsal began, Mr. Birely called the entire cast together for a pep talk. He reminded them not to "push," for the audience would come to them in order to hear. He asked for a slightly heightened sense of reality, but reminded them to keep it an honest period piece. Yes, the seventies are a period.

During the rehearsal of the first act, the lighting cues were ironed out. Although the director had wanted to run the show straight through, a few parts had to be repeated. Some props could not be used because they were wet, but the actors simply went on. Thankfully, no one slipped on the stage, although the bugs were annoying.

I will save my opinions about the performances for my review, but I will say that I enjoyed the first act. Melinda Zupaniotis plays a sassy Dora Lee and Lauren Nicole Sherwood plays Judy. George Bex is Mr. Hart, a "sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot they call their boss." 9 to 5 opens on Friday.

What a Way to Make a Living!

Danbury’s Musicals at Richter 29th Season under the Stars Continues with “9 to 5”  July 5-20

Grounds open at 7:15 p.m. for picnicking, with the show at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $23 for adults, $18 for seniors and $15 for students and children.  For Sunday performances and the added show on Thursday, July 18, tickets are $18 for adults, $14 for seniors and $12 for students and children.  Group rates and chair rentals are available, and a snack/soft drink concession is on site.