Becker High School music teacher Gretchen Bordson has served as the choir director, and recruited and directed the pit orchestra for every musical produced at the school in recent memory.  She has also cast and directed the annual spring dinner show, but she has never appeared on stage herself.  Until now.

 

Bordson has a lead role in the GREAT Theatre production of the musical “9 to 5” at the Paramount Theatre in St. Cloud.  The show is based on the hit movie of the same name that starred Dolly Parton, Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda as three female office workers trying to make it in a man’s world of business. 

 

She will portray the character of Judy, a woman who finds herself in the workplace for the first time after her husband leaves her for a younger woman, and at the mercy of the obnoxious boss, Mr. Hart, described as a “sexist, egotistical, lying hypocritical bigot” in the text, and those are his good points. 

 

Her character transforms from a lost sheep into a formidable woman in the play, as she and the vivacious Doralee (Monica Servi), played by Dolly Parton in the film, and office manager Violet (Heather Mastromarco), Lily Tomlin’s role, take their revenge on their unspeakable boss, played by Joseph Wall.

 

Bordson said a number of factors led her to the stage, including her turning 40 recently, a contact for an audition from director Dennis Whipple, whom she worked with on the last fall musical at BHS, and a chance to stretch and do something challenging and different.  She also said that there was “instant chemistry” among the three leading actresses, even during auditions, and that they have formed “a special bond throughout this process.” And while being a wife, mother and a teacher at BHS are her priorities right now, she would certainly consider doing it again in the future, she said.

 

The production opened Friday night, with performances at 7:30 p.m. tonight, Sept. 12, 13, 19 and 20, with matinees at 2 p.m. on Sept. 7, 14 and 21.  An American Sign Language performance is set for Sept. 19.

 

Tickets prices are $28 for adults, $22 for seniors 60 and over, educators and military personnel, and $18 for students.  Tickets are available at the box office on show nights, on-line at www.greattheatre.org or by calling (320) 259-5463.

The Paramount Theatre is located at 913 St. Germain Street in St. Cloud.