Press Releases

MANASQUAN, NJ - Get ready to laugh out loud when Algonquin Arts Theatre presents 9 to 5: The Musical, running March 20 through March 29. Based on the iconic film and featuring an unforgettable score by the legendary Dolly Parton, this high-energy comedy follows three bold women as they team up to turn the tables on their tyrannical boss. 9 to 5 is the ultimate feel-good musical - it's time to clock in for fun!

Leading the production are Emily Bodkin as Violet, Bridget Lynch as Judy, and Ava Rose Dressendofer as Doralee, alongside Jeff Bodnar as Franklin Hart, Cindy Chait as Roz Keith, Brendan Flanagan as Joe, Matthew Paul Johnson as Dwayne, Boden DeVivo as Josh, Caitlin Sing as Missy, Daniela Julian as Maria, Philip Hickey as Dick / Detective / Rodeo Announcer, Lauren Friedman as Kathy, Jennifer Shrestha as Margaret, and John B. Gekle, Jr. as Tinsworthy. The ensemble includes Sarah Blasenheim, James Chianese, Josh Ferro, Craig Fitzgerald, Kelly Fitzgerald, Jack Glassman, Kyra Griggs, Julia Lupi, Joseph Roach (Dance Captain), Andrew Vielma-Hall, and Jessica Vincello.

Tickets start at just $27 and are available now at www.algonquinarts.org, by calling 732-528-9211, or by visiting the Algonquin Arts Theatre Box Office (Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.) at 60 Abe Voorhees Drive, Manasquan. 9 to 5 is sponsored by Shorehaven Wealth Partners.

CAST BIOS

EMILY BODKIN (VIOLET) Algonquin debut! Past favorite roles include Gypsy (Mama Rose), Mamma Mia! (Donna), Beauty and the Beast (Wardrobe), Legally Blonde (Paulette), and Cabaret (Fr. Schneider). Proud Baldwin Wallace graduate.

BRIDGET LYNCH (JUDY) is delighted to join 9 to 5! Credits include Cats (Grizabella), Newsies (Katherine), and The Producers (Ulla). She's an actor and creative whose work has been featured onstage at DreamWorks Water Park, Nickelodeon Universe, and Six Flags, and onscreen with Jimmy Kimmel Live! and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

AVA ROSE DRESSENDOFER (DORALEE) is thrilled to make her Algonquin debut bringing Dolly Parton's iconic Doralee to life onstage! She's a Villanova Law student by day and a rhinestone cowgirl by night. Recent credits include Grease (Sandy; Madison Public Theatre) and Legally Blonde (Ensemble; Phoenix Productions).

JEFF BODNAR (FRANKLIN HART) 9 to 5 marks Jeff's seventh AAT production, including Grease (Teen Angel), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Clopin), Footloose (Rev. Shaw Moore), and 1776 (Thomson). He acted professionally for years before becoming a Realtor with Goldstone Realtors. You can also catch him in the feature film A Great Awakening (William Paterson).

CINDY CHAIT (ROZ KEITH) is delighted to be performing on the Algonquin stage again! Previous credits: Man of La Mancha (Aldonza), Kiss Me, Kate (Kate), and Deathtrap (Myra). Regional credits include: Into the Woods (Witch) and Assassins (Emma Goldman) at The Eagle Theatre and Sister Act (u/s Sister Mary Theresa) at the Walnut Street Theatre. Other favorites: Mamma Mia! (Tanya), The Prom (Dee Dee), and The Toxic Avenger (Mayor/Mom).

BRENDAN FLANAGAN (JOE) is elated to be part of the dynamite cast of 9 to 5. Previously seen at AAT in 1776 (Richard Henry Lee) and over three dozen other productions.

MATTHEW PAUL JOHNSON (DWAYNE) is appearing in his eighth show at Algonquin Arts Theatre. He was most recently seen in Grease (Danny) at Plays-in-the-Park, as well as Footloose (Chuck), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Joseph), and Fiddler on the Roof (Perchik) at Algonquin.

BODEN DEVIVO (JOSH) is thrilled to be in his very first AAT production. Boden is an eighth-grader and an active member of his school's Jr. Thespian Troupe. Past credits include School of Rock: Youth Edition (Dewey Finn), Beetlejuice Jr. (Maxie Dean/Ensemble), and Grease: School Edition (Teen Angel).

CAITLIN SING (MISSY) is pleased to make her Algonquin debut. She is a former Upright Citizens Brigade Harold and Lloyd Night performer and has appeared on Law & Order: SVU. Favorite stage credits include Crazy for You (Patricia Fodor), The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Princess Puffer), and 'dentity Crisis (Harriet). Proud Muhlenberg alum.

DANIELA JULIAN (MARIA) is thrilled to return to AAT for the third time. Past credits include: Legally Blonde (Brooke Wyndham), The Wizard of Oz (Beautician/Dance Ensemble), Beetlejuice (Sky), and Cats (Tantomile).

PHILIP HICKEY (DICK / DETECTIVE / RODEO ANNOUNCER) is thrilled to return to Algonquin Arts Theatre's stage in 9 to 5. He was recently featured in Algonquin's One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (Colonel Matterson) as well as Phoenix Productions' Fiddler on the Roof (Nachum) at the Count Basie Theatre. When not performing, Philip works as a psychotherapist.

LAUREN FRIEDMAN (KATHY) is thrilled to be back at the Algonquin! She was most recently seen in AAT's The Diary of Anne Frank (Edith Frank). Favorite past credits: The Music Man (Eulalie Shinn), A Man of No Importance (Lily Byrne), Fiddler on the Roof (Grandma Tzeitel), Elf: The Musical (Deb), The Bridges of Madison County (Marge), Rent (Mrs. Cohen & others), and Xanadu (Calliope). When not onstage, Lauren teaches preschool and loves to bake and go to the beach.

JENNIFER SHRESTHA (MARGARET) was recently seen at AAT in The Rocky Horror Show (Phantom), The Wizard of Oz (Wicked Witch), Footloose (Ethel), Fiddler on the Roof (Yente), and The Diary of Anne Frank (Mrs. Van Daan). Other credits include Rumors (Chris), Rent (Lexi/Ensemble), and Head Over Heels (Gynecia).

JOHN B. GEKLE, JR. (TINSWORTHY) is pleased and proud to appear in another show at the Algonquin. His most recent roles here were One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (Ruckly) and 1776 (Josiah Bartlett). He is further pleased to be associated with the masterful Dolly Parton in some small way.

SARAH BLASENHEIM (ENSEMBLE) is thrilled to be part of 9 to 5! She holds a degree in Musical Theater from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Credits include Oklahoma! (Laurey), South Pacific (Dinah), A Class Act (Sophie), Into the Woods (Rapunzel), Legally Blonde (Kate/Chutney), and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Olive).

JAMES CHIANESE (ENSEMBLE) is very excited to be back on the AAT stage. Past AAT credits include The Rocky Horror Show (Phantom), Rent (Angel), and Kinky Boots (Angel 2).

JOSH FERRO (ENSEMBLE) is thrilled to be returning to the Algonquin stage. Favorite credits include Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Naphthali), Footloose (Bickle), and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (Aide Warren).

CRAIG FITZGERALD (ENSEMBLE) is appearing in his second show with Algonquin, having previously been seen in The Wizard of Oz (Zeke/Ensemble). Craig has been acting for 11 years, with favorite credits including Puffs (Zach Smith), Finding Nemo Jr. (Bruce/Gil), and Peter and the Starcatcher (Fighting Prawn).

KELLY FITZGERALD (ENSEMBLE) is attending Brookdale Community College and is very excited for her third production at AAT. Recent roles include White Christmas (Gloria/Ensemble), The Wizard of Oz (Beautician/Ensemble), and Mary Poppins (Bird Woman/Miss Andrew).

JACK GLASSMAN (ENSEMBLE) is excited to be in his second Algonquin show after appearing in Footloose (Ensemble) in 2025. He has also performed with Pegasus Production Company in 13: The Musical (Malcolm), Mamma Mia! (Eddie), and The Lightning Thief (Kurt Cobain/Camper).

KYRA GRIGGS (ENSEMBLE) is thrilled to be returning to the Algonquin stage, having recently appeared in White Christmas (Tessie/Ensemble). Past credits include Mamma Mia! (Donna Sheridan), Little Women (Meg March), and All Shook Up (Mayor Matilda Hyde).

JULIA LUPI (ENSEMBLE) is thrilled to be returning to the Algonquin stage. Favorite credits include Beauty and the Beast (Belle), Grease (Sandy), Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins), and Cinderella (Gabrielle).

JOSEPH ROACH (ENSEMBLE / DANCE CAPTAIN) is excited to be part of his second Algonquin show. Past credits include White Christmas (Ensemble), A Chorus Line (Don), The SpongeBob Musical (Squidward), The Prom (Kevin), The Jungle Book (Mowgli), and Atlantic City Ballet's The Nutcracker.

ANDREW VIELMA-HALL (ENSEMBLE) is thrilled to be back on the Algonquin stage. Previous credits include Mary Poppins (Dance Ensemble), Jekyll & Hyde (Ensemble), and Fiddler on the Roof (Bottle Dancer).

JESSICA VINCELLO (ENSEMBLE) is thrilled to be making her Algonquin Arts Theatre debut in 9 to 5. Recent credits include Scrooge! (Isabel), The Prom (Angie Dickinson), and The Drowsy Chaperone (Trix).

CREATIVE TEAM

9 to 5 is directed by Gina Lupi with choreography by Kathleen Pearlberg and music direction by Barbara Klemp. The production team includes John C. Short (Stage Manager), Rachel Krupnick (Production Stage Manager), Jason Greenhouse (Scenic Design), Roman Klima (Lighting Design), Frankie Confalone (Costume Design), Jan Topoleski (Sound Design), Joe Ficarra (Prop Design / Production Manager), and Julie Nagy (Artistic Producer).

TICKETS

Tickets start at just $27 and are available now at www.algonquinarts.org, by calling 732-528-9211, or by visiting the Algonquin Arts Theatre Box Office (Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.) at 60 Abe Voorhees Drive, Manasquan.

ABOUT ALGONQUIN ARTS THEATRE

Algonquin Arts Theatre (AAT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit center for performing arts, providing cultural enrichment and arts education for residents and visitors of Central New Jersey and the Jersey Shore through high-quality performances and programs in theatre, music, dance, and film. Located in Manasquan, N.J., AAT is an integral part of the Shore region and is deeply committed to education and community engagement.

Algonquin Arts Theatre's programs are made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts / Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, along with support from corporate partners, foundations, and individual donors.