Cast chosen for Phoenix Theatre summer musical

Movie roles made famous in the 1980s by the likes of Dolly Parton, Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda will be recreated at the Sheldon Theatre this summer when Phoenix Theatre presents “9 to 5: The Musical.”

The show, which is directed by Sheldon Theatre Executive Director Sean Dowse, will be performed July 12-14 and 20-22.

Therese Thompson, Terese Bjornstad and Anna Ostendorf are cast as three women who work together in a corporate office for Franklin Hart Jr., an arrogant, sexist man who takes advantage of the women who work with him.

Tom Feehan is taking on the role of Hart. Thompson plays his longtime employee, Violet Newstead; while Ostendorf is Judy Bernly, a naïve new employee; and Bjornstad is Doralee Rhodes, a Southern belle. Cast as Roz Keith, the company snitch, is Helene Olson-Reed.

The three women gang up on Hart and manage to trap him. While he’s tied up, they assume control of the department and productivity leaps. But how long can it go on?

Bjornstad and Olson-Reed have been seen in many shows at the Sheldon, including the recent “Morning’s at Seven.” Thompson was in the summer musical “Wedding Singer.”

Ostendorf is relatively new to the Sheldon stage, and Feehan appeared in a number of comedy roles in the past but has not been active in the theater for several years.

Joining them on stage will be John Anderson as the ruthless chairman of the board, Tinsworthy; Geoff Bruce as ex-husband Dick Bernly; Tommy Keller as husband Dwayne Rhodes; Dawn Anderson as Hart’s wife Missy; and Charlie Woodruff as Josh Newstead.

Also: Michael Swinarski as Joe; Chelsea Indrus as Maria; Elle Mark as Kathy; Kevin Funk as Bob Enright; Lewis Youngren as the detective; Maddie Faas as the intern; Molly Cyr as a candy striper; and Medary Staley as a new employee.

“They’re a great group. They are real committed,” Dowse said.

“It’s very fun music,” he added, noting that Parton wrote the music and lyrics. The title song, “9 to 5,” was nominated for an Academy Award in the original song category.

Karen Boek and Dace Miller are putting together 1970s-80s theme costumes. Dawn Anderson, who worked on the Red Wing High School musical “All Shook Up” this spring, will take charge of choreography. Music director is Dawn Conroy-Pretto, and orchestra conductor is Rob Schmitke.

Dowse said anyone interested in working behind-scenes in any capacity is welcome to call him at 651-388-8701.

Tickets are available now at $20 for adults, $12 for students. Performances will be at 7 p.m. except for the July 22 show, which is a 2 p.m. matinee.

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