9 to 5, You Can Lose Your Mind: An Interview with the Cast

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Ever since closing James and The Giant Peach, Lancer Productions has been hard at work with the spring musical. This year, the musical chosen was 9 To 5: The Musical, an adaptation of the classic 1980 film starring Dolly Parton, 9 To 5. The musical follows Violet (Lauren Pawloski), a strong female employee constantly passed over for promotions, Doralee (Natalie Sierk), the supposed dumb-blonde whos being chased after by the boss, and Judy (Ryenne Lacher), the new girl struggling to find her new place in the workforce, as they fight against the office environment and their oppressive boss, Franklin Hart Jr. (Isaiah Serrano).

Lancer Productions has been hard at work ever since the last show closed, working continuously for three months now to bring the show to life. The musical opens today, April 25, meaning I’m back at it interviewing the cast of this show to give you a behind the scenes look at the production and what has gone into it. Since this show is going to be the last show for this year’s seniors, I chose to interview only seniors for this article. In addition, this show has a theme of women’s empowerment, particularly their still all too common struggles in the workplace. So, without further ado, dear viewer, let's get into the interviews.

Lauren Pawloski

I first interviewed Lauren Pawloski, who plays Violet, a strong leader who constantly gets passed over for promotions by men because she’s a woman. Lauren has been involved with LP all four years, and doing this show has been a dream come true for her. She said, “I chose to do this show as soon as they announced it! With this being my senior year, I knew that I would be auditioning for every show I could! When they announced we were doing 9 to 5 for our Spring musical, I knew it was going to be the perfect show to end my high school career with.” This show is very grounded compared to some of the previous shows, as is Violet, which has been both a challenge and an honor for Lauren. What happens to Violet in the show is a common occurrence for women in the workplace, even now in the 21st century. It has been a challenge playing this role: “This character has been especially hard to play because Violet is a real person. In previous shows, when portraying characters in previous shows like Disney’s Beauty and The Beast or James and the Giant Peach, I am portraying them in extremes. But Violet isn't a character that lives in extremes. She is a real person who has real struggles that don't live in the world of extremes. Finding balance with her character has been both a challenge and really fun!” To be given the ability to show the struggles that women face has been immensely rewarding, according to Lauren: “It has been so amazing to play such a powerful role on stage. Having the opportunity to portray the realities of so many women in the workforce has been such an honor that I definitely don't take for granted.” Lauren and the show by extension also show that even though it might seem bleak, women have the power to make change happen. Throughout the show, Lauren is able to defy the men who put her down and doubt her, and makes the office a better place. She wants everyone who sees the show to take that away, as she told me, “I think it is so important for the audience to take away from this show the power that women have. In the workforce, my character lives up to every expectation of a great leader and a great boss, but I'm constantly passed over because I'm a woman. Violet doesn't give up and keeps fighting and pushing for the change she wants to see and eventually, it works. I think that quote from Change It says it perfectly: A better day is on the way, only you can change it.” Lauren plans to attend University of Iowa with a major in Journalism and Mass Communications. Finally when asked who in the office she has beef with, she told me, “I'm currently beefing with Roz because she won't get off my back about stupid memos that no one reads.”

Kyla Stone

I then talked with Kyla Stone, who plays Maria, one of the employees at Consolidated. This is Kyla’s third show on stage, as she was previously involved with the pit orchestra, before deciding to get involved with acting. When asked why she decided to do this show, she told me, “I was a part of Beauty and the Beast last year, and have loved doing shows ever since!” This is also Kyla’s first time playing a character outside of the ensemble. Kyla was in the dance ensemble for both Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and James And The Giant Peach, as she is an immensely talented dancer who has been dancing for almost 15 years. While a change for her, she has been greatly enjoying it, as she told me her favorite parts of the show have been “Getting the opportunity to learn and grow with the responsibilities of a character that isn’t just in the ensemble and getting to spend more time with my friends!” Still, it hasn’t been without challenges, as according to Kyla the hardest part of the role has been, “all of my quick changes–there's so many!” As Maria, her character, she in the show gets fired for discussing the pay gap between the men and women of the office. This show sheds light on issues affecting women in the workforce, something she is aware of. When asked about what she wants the audience to take away from, she told me, “with this show being modern, it really puts the possible realities of workers into perspective. The show has a great moral on women empowerment and I believe that everyone should get to experience it!” Kyla plans to attend Trinity College of Nursing and Health Sciences to earn her ASS (applied associates in science), after which she will attend University Of Iowa to specialize in sonography. Finally when asked who in the office she is beefing with, she told me, “Roz (Gabby Anderson) obviously, she got me fired.”

Isaiah Serrano

Next, I interviewed Isaiah Serrano, who plays Franklin Hart Jr, the Sexist, Egotistical, Lying, Hypocritical Bigot boss of the office and primary antagonist of the show. Isiah has been involved with Lancer Productions since his freshman year, being cast in the straight show that year, Bertha The Big Beautiful Typewriter Girl. This leading role has been truly a long time coming. When auditions came up, he decided to audition for Hart at the advice of a friend, as according to him, “I was told I’d be perfect for the role of Franklin Heart by Carter, so I decided to audition.” Even though Isaiah truly is a seasoned actor, this role hasn’t been without hurdles. Even though Hart is a bombastic and exaggerated character, he does still reflect the kind of people who do exist and plague women in the workforce. Balancing the character with keeping the message has been hard for him, as he described his biggest struggle being, “not going too far with what I can display on stage.” Still, someone in the play has to be the bad guy, and that at times can be a needed shakeup to play. Isaiah has still been enjoying playing the sleazy and arrogant boss of the office, as when asked what his favorite part of the role was, he told me it was, “holding people at gunpoint and having a real kind of power and stage presence needed for the role.” Through Hart, Isaiah shows the necessity of anyone in a bad situation and especially women to stand up for themselves and for what's right. That is a key theme of the show, and when asked what he wants the audience to take away from the show, he told me he wanted everyone to “Stand for yourself, no matter how much those who want to keep you down try and oppress you.” Through Hart, he shows that change is necessary, and only you can make it possible. Isaiah plans to attend the University of Iowa to study cinematography and theater. Finally, when asked who in the office he is beefing with, he responded with a very in character answer of, “just women in general.”

Ryenne Lacher

Finally, I talked to Ryenne Lacher, who plays Judy Bernly, the new girl at the office, who was forced to work after her husband, Dick, left her for his secretary. Ryenne has also been involved with LP all four years, and as this her last show of her high school career, she wanted to go out with a bang. When asked why she auditioned for this show, she told me that, “It is my last musical of my last year in high school, so there was no way I was going to miss out on this show.” Even though this is Ryenne’s second leading role of this year, she has still had a big weight on her shoulders. Women’s empowerment has been a big theme throughout this year’s production, with both Radium Girls and 9 to 5: The Musical focusing on that theme. Similarly to Radium Girls, she felt that she has had a huge responsibility playing the role, something that she articulated to me, telling me that, “it’s been a struggle finding the right way to deliver some of my lines while also giving justice to the woman I play. I want to make sure her story is heard and remembered, and as such it’s my responsibility to convey that.” Still, she hasn’t let that prevent her from enjoying her last show in Lancer Productions. When asked what her favorite part of the show has been, she told that it was, “definitely being part of a show where women empowerment drives the story! Playing a woman who, throughout the show, grows more into her confidence and womanhood has been great and I love getting to channel that. Not to mention I have the opportunity to sing some pretty cool songs.” The songs are definitely pretty good, something that Ryenne’s amazing voice has amplified. You should probably know this, assuming you are following NSHSLP on Instagram, in which clips of her singing have been featured. Judy throughout the show grows from the timid and tread upon secretary fresh off of being left by her husband, to a strong, independent woman who is able and willing to finally stand up for herself against the men in her life who mistreated her. As such, when asked what she wanted the audience to take away from the show, she told me that, “I want them to never underestimate the power of womanhood; women should stick together now more than ever!” Fortunately for her, this show won’t be her last, as she plans to go to the University of Iowa for Musical Theatre and Marketing. Finally, when asked who in the office, she answered in a way that reflected her character's naivete, saying, “I don’t think Judy beefs with anybody in the office because she’s a new employee and she doesn’t know anyone yet.”

Buy your tickets here. Shows will be tonight and tomorrow at 7pm, this Sunday at 2pm, as well as Friday May 2 and Saturday May 3 at 7pm, and finally  Sunday May 4 at 2pm. In addition, there will be dinner theatre May 2 and 3 at 5pm before the shows, in which you can dine while watching a performance by the Soda Pop’ers, your waitstaff!  So many people, such as I, have put so much work into this show. So come watch the cast Shine Like The Sun, and maybe, just maybe, they Just Might Make It.