What a way to make a living: Working women the focus of humorous musical ’9 to 5’

The power of friendship and finding your voice will take center stage when Summit Theatre Group presents “9 to 5: The Musical” July 11-13 at the Lee’s Summit West High School performing arts center.

Based on the 1980 movie, the musical comedy spins a tale of sexism, revenge and the fight for equal rights in the workplace through the characters of Violet (played by Susan Campen Preuter), Judy (portrayed by Megan Roberts) and Doralee (performed by Brittany Hill). Based on a book by Patricia Resnick, the musical features lyrics and music written by Dolly Parton, who also played Doralee in the beloved 1980 movie.

“It’s a very fun show,” said Becca Stabno, Summit Theatre Group president. “It’s about female empowerment and women in the workplace and how they worked really hard and got passed over for promotions or were objectified for their looks.”

Hill, who will be playing Doralee for her second time, said the story-line reveals what happens when individuals actively work to change the pattern found in the narrative.

“The show reminds us to stand up for ourselves, each other and to take hold of our lives,” she said.

Roberts, who portrays the initially insecure Judy as she reenters the workforce, said she is excited to show the growth her character makes toward being comfortable standing on her own two feet.

“I can’t wait to spread the positive message of women lifting each other up and finding their voice,” she added.

“9 to 5: The Musical” was originally under the direction of Brad Rackers, STG Board of Directors member and theater director at Lee’s Summit West High School. Following Rackers’ unexpected death on May 17, his STG fellow board members were not only grieving, they also had to turn their attention to the show’s future.

Tabatha Babcock, a friend of Rackers and theater director at Belton High School, reached out and volunteered to direct the show, Stabno added.

“She was actually cast in the show as an ensemble member and said, ‘I’m willing to step back from that and take over as director.’ It was a big relief because there was a question of whether we could go forward.”

The woman-focused production includes female crew leaders, director and music director. Having women lead the production team had been important to Rackers, Stabno added.

“So it’s going to give it a little bit of a twist,” she said. “I think that Brad would be pleased with that.”

Rackers’ death has touched many in the Lee’s Summit area and the theater community. With the support of his parents, STG recently established the Brad Rackers Memorial Scholarship, with information about donating on the group’s webpage.

In addition to the summer musical comedy, Summit Theatre Group has three other shows planned for 2025.

“All That Glitters — The Golden Age of Broadway” is scheduled for Aug. 15 to 17 at the STG studio. A fundraising concert is planned for Aug. 23 at the Fillmore Cafe.

Directed by Dana Reynolds, the cabaret features approximately 24 songs from 1943 through 1959. It includes numbers from “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Kiss Me, Kate” and “Carousel.”

“In our cabarets, we get to sing some songs that we don’t always get a chance to do in our shows,” Stabno said.

In the fall, STG will present “Songs for a New World,” written by Jason Robert Brown, a contemporary composer in New York.

“It focuses on the kinds of choices that ordinary people have to make in extraordinary moments in their lives,” Stabno said. “The music is really beautiful.”

The show, directed by Christina Foltz, runs Oct. 9-12 at the STG studio.

Summit Theatre Group’s final show for 2025 will be “Holiday Harmonies,” a Christmas cabaret scheduled for Dec. 19-21 at the studio. That show will be directed by Ginger Driskell.

“We brought back the Christmas cabaret because of the high demand for this show,” Stabno added.

Summit Theatre Group plans to announce its 2026 show schedule by late summer. As the organization looks to the future, the board is also considering a new location for its studio and classes.

“Our vision is to have a larger space that has some classrooms and a black box theater,” she said.

STG is located at 180 NW Oldham Parkway in an approximately 10,000-square-foot facility. Productions, classes and camps all vie for space in the large open room. The board’s goal is to have two separate areas — the classrooms and the theater — so that rehearsals and classes can happen simultaneously

This would also allow the organization to offer more classes and camps, boosting income from these offerings and reaching more students, Stabno said.

For more information about STG’s year-round classes, summer camps and upcoming productions go to www.summittheatre.org. Tickets for “9 to 5: The Musical” are also available through the site.