The shoulder pads are back. The polyester is out of the closet. Somewhere, a vintage office blouse is getting a second chance at stardom. At Hayesville’s Peacock Performing Arts Center, costumers for "9 to 5: The Musical" are stitching together the 70's — one outfit at a time.
An all-volunteer crew has embraced the challenge of recreating colorful office fashions while using clothing to reveal each character's personality.
For Janice Lessard, of Murphy, dressing Doralee, the role made famous by Dolly Parton, has been especially rewarding. "This is the first production where my costumes really help define a character," she says. "Doralee has to be confident, glamorous and sexy; finding just the right combination of outfits is challenging and fun."
The period setting has struck a nostalgic chord with Landra Marrella, of Hiawassee. "I was a teenager in the 1970s,” she says. “The ‘costumes’ for this show are clothes I'm familiar with wearing and still do in some cases.”
When costumer Dianne Spelts was a young mom working office jobs in Georgia, she, too, found herself overlooked for advancement despite her abilities. When the opportunity came to work on "9 to 5" at the Peacock, she eagerly chose to costume Violet — the smart, resilient office veteran she admired in the original film.
"Business attire can easily become ordinary," Spelts says. "The challenge is giving each character a distinct personality while staying true to the office setting. Challenge accepted."
Costumer Kathy Wright, of Brasstown, says many actors and their families have joined the search for authentic 1970s clothing, with some even contributing treasured pieces from parents' closets.
“Things have changed so much since the 1970s,” Wright says. “We have many in the cast who have never seen their parents and teachers ‘dress’ for work, so this is a challenge that is being cheerfully met.”
Margaret Jones, of Hiawassee, is very familiar with corporate office style since she worked as a business manager in New York City during the 1990s. She says her dream is for Dolly Parton to see the Peacock’s production, especially since she’s only a state away.
Bev Lewis is also helping with costumes. Whether audiences remember the 1980 film or are discovering the story for the first time, the Peacock's costume team hopes every outfit adds authenticity, humor and heart to this crowd-pleasing musical.
"9 to 5" runs Fridays through Sundays, Aug. 7-9 and 14-16 at the Peacock Performing Arts Center, 301 Church St., Hayesville. Friday and Saturday performances are at 7:30 p.m., with Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m. For information, call: (828) 389-2787 or visit: thepeacocknc.org.
Photo caption: L to R: Costumers Landi Marrella, Janice Lessard, and Kathy Wright