'9 to 5' turns out to be Wickedly satisfying

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. Credit: Christine Cotter / Los Angeles Times

Bottom photo: Block and Marc Kudisch in "9 to 5: The Musical" at the Ahmanson Theatre. Credit: Craig Schwartz