‘A little of everything we need’: The Kittatinny Players to present ‘9 to 5’ this weekend

It’s been a two-year hiatus because of Covid, but the school’s annual musical is back.

The Kittatinny Players will perform the Dolly Parton smash hit musical “9 to 5” this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

“Come relive the music of Dolly as we bring back the time of typewriters and Pet Rocks,” said Roy Chiariello, Kittatinny Regional High School’s theater director.

“9 to 5” was written by Dolly Parton and the school’s theater department, The Kittatinny Players, picked this show for its high energy, lots of compelling female roles and great supporting men’s roles.

“It’s a little of everything we need,” Chiariello said.

During a pandemic, they needed a show where they could be flexible with set, cast and crew as they navigated through some tough times.

“Our three star woman are knocking it out of the park,” he said. “They have developed great chemistry and balanced each other out so well. Marley Balkau is playing the role of Violet who is the take charge, get it done type of lady. Megan Hurley plays Judy, who goes through the most significant change throughout the show in which she plays beautifully. Then we have Camryn Ricard as Doralee, and let’s just say, she is Dolly. Luke Yokoboski as Franklin Hart and Sarah Inglima as Roz round out the leads as great supporting roles who have the opportunity to steal the show with their wit and humor.”

Embracing their roles

None of the leads are strangers to the stage.

“This group is such a fun group to work with and I am so happy with what we have put together,” said Camryn Ricard.

In the movie, Jane Fonda played Judy Bernley.

“For me, this role as Judy has been so much fun to play because of the character’s overall change throughout the show,” Hurley said. “Portraying this change was also the most challenging part of the role for me because I wanted to make sure that I displayed the courage and independent nature that she had developed as the show went on.”

She echoes Camryn and feels that the cast is very tight knit.

“The chemistry of our leads has filtered down directly to the entire cast and crew,” Chiariello said. “We are a little inexperienced this year as Covid rocked the theater world for the last two years. However, the talent these kids have is exceptional which has made the rehearsal process awesome! Besides navigating through Covid issues and protocol, which was extremely challenging, the process has been positive and will produce a great product typical of the Kittatinny Players.”

Marah Whitby is, appropriately, playing the Dance Captain. She’s been involved in and thrived at competitive dance since she was very little.

“We worked really hard and had to deal with Covid and an issue with our stage getting water damage,” she said.

Even with these challenges, “9 to 5” is ready to go and the cast, staff and crew members behind putting it together are ready to perform starting this Thursday at Kittatinny Regional High School.