Let’s sing the praises of community theatre! Let’s sing of community theatres with histories going back decades, training generation after generation of theatre lovers and theatre artists! Let’s sing of butchers and bakers and candlestick makers and insurance salesman and real estate agents and high school students and grandmas and former professionals and Vaudevillians and movie actors thrown together in amateur glory! Let’s sing of runs that rarely last more than a couple of weekends, and often include a newcomer or two making their stage debut! Let’s sing of audiences of friends and family who cheer and whistle and stomp as if their team were winning the world series!
After COVID, as the professional theatre world struggles to survive, community theatres are working hard to pick up a lot of slack. Not everybody aspires to open on Broadway, or hire a cast of travelling professionals for a LORT (League of Resident Theatres) company. Not everybody who acts is going to be a professional actor. Not every designer is going to win an award.
Community theatre offers joys that are different, but equal, to what we find among professionals. There is a level of enthusiasm, a sense of family and local tradition, a coziness that few professional companies can match. Sure, the costumes may have a loose thread here and there, and the dancers may do little more than walk about the stage in interesting patterns, and the singers may be off key, but, more often than you might expect, there are moments of sheer theatrical joy to be found. And there is nothing like watching a teenager just finding their talent, or the glow of an amateur sinking her teeth into a great play.
None of this is to suggest that Coastal Rep’s ‘9 to 5’ is particularly amateurish. Indeed, Bay area stalwart John Manion gives an hilarious performance as Franklin Hart, Jr. which could hold its own in any professional company and is well worth the price of admission. He is a locomotive entirely capable of pulling this train. The audience can relax and enjoy themselves, knowing they will reach the destination.
The rest of the cast bring enthusiasm and sincerity to every scene. The three friends who kidnap the boss and remake the company, Doralee Rhodes (Samantha Ayoob), Violet Newsted (Katie D. Francis), and Julie Bernly (Lindsay Schultz) definitely know how to get laughs.
The supporting chorus sings and dances with charming enthusiasm.
About the dancing: Choreographer Paige Coliazo has done a superb job here. Understanding her company’s limitations, she utilizes geometrical movements, simple walking, easy steps, and the occasional high kick to create consistent visual excitement without demanding more than her dancers can deliver. I should add, though, that young Anath Infanzon Marin stands out for exceptional grace and enthusiasm.Far too often, in amateur productions, choreographers reach for the stars and audiences are forced to watch nondancers struggle and tumble. Nobody tumbles here and the result is thoroughly pleasing.
Similar kudos to costumer Greet Jaspaert. The costumes are colorful and eye-pleasing.
Director Xandra Nemchik knows how to pace the material and to keep her actors moving about in interesting configurations. She makes sure that all the elements keep moving along efficiently so that there are no boring moments. And young Anath Infanzon Marin shows exceptional grace and enthusiasm.
In short, “9 to 5” at Coastal Rep is very enjoyable. An afternoon at the beach in Half Moon Bay, a simple seafood dinner, followed by an evening of community theatre at Coastal Rep would be a fine way to pass a memorable summer’s day.
“9 to 5” plays at Coastal Rep in Half Moon Bay through August 18th. Click here for further information.
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Rating: ***1/2 (For an explanation of TheatreStorm’s rating system, click here.)
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“9 to 5: by Patricia Resnick, music & lyrics by Dolly Parton, based on the 20th Century Fox Picture. Arrangements and additional orchestrations by Stephen Oremus and Alex Lacamoire. Director: Xandra Nemchik. Music Director: Matt Matei. Choreographer: Paige Collazo. Set Design & Build: Doug McCurdy. Lighting Design: Aya Matsumoto. Sound Design: Aaron Morgan. Costumer: Greet Jaspert. Props: Rosie Issel.
Cast:
Violet Newsted: Kate Francis. Josh Newsted: Anath Infanzon Marin. Doralee Rhodes: Samantha Ayoob. Judy Bernly: Lindsay Schultz. Kathy: Carter Roa. Maria: Sara Murphy. Roz Keith: Elana Ron. Margaret: Taylor Navas. Franklin Hart, Jr.: John Mannion. Missy Hart: Maggy Grogan. Joe: Eric Mellum. Dick Bernly: Kyle Arrouzet. Candy Striper: Maya Sanchez. Russel Tinworth: Tom Poeschl. Judy U/S and Swing: Kennedy Johnaon.
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