Arts & Science Center opens theater for in-person performances starting Aug. 6

Tickets are on sale for The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas’s production of “9 to 5 the Musical.” Performances are 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 6, Aug. 13, and Aug. 20; Saturday, Aug. 7, Aug. 14 and Aug. 21; Sunday at 2 p. m. on Aug. 8, 15, and 22. This production is sponsored by Simmons Bank.

Tickets are $ 20 for ASC members and seniors, and $ 25 for nonmembers. Tickets may be purchased at asc701. org or by calling 870-536-3375.

This musical production is based on the 1980 hit movie. The book is by Patricia Resnick, who also wrote the film. Compositions are by Dolly Parton.

Set in the late 1970s, this hilarious story of friendship and revenge in the Rolodex era is outrageous, thought- provoking and even a little romantic.

Pushed to the boiling point, three female coworkers concoct a plan to get even with the sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot they call their boss. In a hilarious turn of events, Violet, Judy and Doralee live out their wildest fantasy — giving their boss the boot.

While Hart remains “otherwise engaged,” the women give their workplace a dream makeover, taking control of the company that had always kept them down.

ASC’s Theater Education Coordinator Lindsey Collins will direct the show alongside codirector Joel Anderson. Both led ASC’s productions of “Legally Blonde the Musical” in 2019 and “Sister Act the Musical” in 2018.

“It’s so fun and upbeat,” said Collins. “It moves quickly and is full of crazy antics, great songs and wonderful characters that the audience will just love...and in some cases, love to hate. They’re hilarious and they’re very endearing."

The show includes other ASC theater veterans including Musical Director Faron Wilson, Choreographer Tana Cook, and Stage Manager Kayla EarnestLake.

Cast and ensemble include Kerri Akines, Anna Bailey, Paige Boast, Emily Burris, Whitney Dutton, Bethany Gere, Angelica Glass, Kayla Earnest- Lake,

Harlie Hipp, Jonathan Hoover, Tonya Lane, Tiffany Lowery, Dakota Mansfield, Caleb Menard, John Proctor, Lanie Ratliff, Freddie Savage, Clara Taylor, Ashley Thompson, Briar Thompson, Cheryl Troillett, Danny Troillett, Gabrielle Vernor, Rick Wilson and Will Witt.

The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas, 701 S. Main St. in Pine Bluff, is open Tuesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p. m. Gallery admission is free. Support for ASC is provided in part by the Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas Endowment Fund, Arkansas Arts Council, an agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage, the National Endowment for the Arts, the City of Pine Bluff, and the Pine Bluff Advertising & Promotion Commission. ASC is a member of the Discovery Network, a statewide program of the Museum of Discovery.

For more information and to sign up for upcoming event announcements, visit asc701.org.