9 to 5, Haverford High School’s Drama Club production premiering this weekend, presents a critique of a bygone era. In the male-dominated world of business, three powerful women face the trials and tribulations of a cutthroat work culture. Doralee Rhodes is a southern belle whose reputation precedes all but the new hiree, Judy Bernley. A recent divorcee, Judy’s husband, Dick, has cheated on her with his secretary. Equipped only with a high-school education and years of housewife experience, Judy has absolutely no idea how to conduct any aspect of office life, which leads her directly to Violet Newstead. An office manager at Consolidated, Violet has worked ever-so-hard, only to see the promotions of the men around her, most of whom she has trained.

On her first day of work, Judy is introduced to Violet, Doralee, and their manager, Franklin Hart Jr. A “sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical, bigot”, Franklin pushes the limits of appropriate office conduct, but, of course, it’s the ’70s, and the social norms are completely different! After being called his “girl” for too long, Violet makes the subconscious mistake of putting rat poison in his coffee, as opposed to Skinny ’n Sweet.

Played by Grazia LaRosa, Pammie Cobaugh, and Georgia Evans, Judy (LaRosa), Doralee (Cobaugh), and Violet (Evans) work as a trio to show the power of women as they take the stage and show their true talents. Playing Franklin Hart, Jack O’Leary demonstrates his talents of singing and acting while dramatizing the gender-instituted hierarchy for all audiences. In addition to the power trio, Annajean Gionta plays Roz Keith, Hart’s faithful secretary who acts as his “eyes, ears, and throat,” causing all of the office women to fear to speak their minds. It is only after an illegal action is made that Roz can play her true part in the plot.

A humorous and impassioned musical, 9 to 5 will make you “lose your mind,” so “get up” and find out how all of these puns make sense. Performances will take place at the Haverford Performing Arts Center on March 12, 13, and 14 at 7:00 p.m. with a matinee on March 14 at 2:00 p.m.

Purchase your tickets at https://haverforddrama.ludus.com/index.php