‘9 to 5’ turns out to be Wickedly satisfying

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Having seen Stephanie J. Block take flight with the music of ‘Wicked’ when she played Elphaba at the Pantages Theatre in 2005, I was looking forward to hearing her voice ‘defying gravity’ again when I saw her in ‘9 to 5’ at the Ahmanson Theatre.

At intermission, however, I was disappointed. Though Block sang well in the first act, there hadn’t been a number that allowed her to cut loose. Of course, I had to admit that it really wasn’t called for; her character, Judy, wasn’t really the type. Judy is timid -- insecure in her first office job, still pining for the husband who left her for a younger woman. Not the kind of woman to belt out a big song. Still, I thought, what a waste.

But as someone mentioned in that musical about the green witch, everyone deserves a chance to fly. And so, in Act 2, songwriter Dolly Parton and director Joe Mantello came through, giving Block the number she deserved: ‘Get Out and Stay Out,’ in which Judy sends her ex-hubby packing once and for all and discovers her new identity as Independent Woman. Block delivered with a stirring performance that packed an audible wallop.

Elphaba would have been proud -- of the sentiment and the sound. Me, I was simply satisfied. Expectations met.

-- Lee Margulies

Top photo: Stephanie J. Block as Elphaba in ‘Wicked’ at the Pantages Theatre.