A Murray State tradition extending back further than All Campus Sing, Campus Lights is a performance that will please the ears of country music fans. Featuring the musical tunes of Dolly Parton, “9 to 5 The Musical” will be the 78th student run production at Murray State University.
During the early 90s, it was decided that instead of performing variety shows, they would feature Broadway musicals. That is what has set the premise for this year’s production “9 to 5 The Musical”.
Historically there have been a few setbacks with finding an adequate location and other small issues, and the production had a minor speed bump during last year’s preparation. Because of inclement winter weather, Murray State had to shut down the power on campus.
Consequently, the cast had to find alternate space to rehearse, some of the wood instruments cracked and Murray State implemented backup generators in Lovett.
Fortunately for the cast, several local churches allowed them to use their space for rehearsals.
Lauren Ruser, Campus Lights publicity coordinator from Belleville, Ill., said the cast always puts a lot of effort and time into a great performance. She said that this musical is different than others because is it student run.
“[It is] the best because it forces the students to work together,” Ruser said. “[It does not] matter where you are in your program, we make it our own within copyright boundaries.”
Ruser also said that this musical gives students a real world experience that everyone can learn from.
Because funding has not been ideal in past years, Campus Lights has had to cut back from four nights of production to three.
It is Ruser’s goal for the productions to sell out at least two of those three nights.
She believes it is possible because of the fun premise of the musical and the entertaining songs that will be performed. Ruser said that the plot follows three women co-workers who have an unfair boss.
The three women will eventually gain revenge on the boss. Although these are the four main roles, the cast is expected to include 11 to 20 people. There will also be a pit orchestra that will be performing throughout the production.
Some of the performance’s songs include “One of the Boys”, “Let Love Grow” and the title number “9 to 5”.
Students can attend “9 to 5 The Musical” coordinated and collaborated with the guidance of Phi Mu Alpha, Sigma Alpha Iota, the College of Humanities and Fine Arts and the music department from Jan. 23-25 in Lovett Auditorium.
Story by Tiffany Whitfill, Staff writer