Health Sciences professor to reprise role in ‘9 to 5 the Musical’

A CWU Health Sciences faculty member was featured in an article in the Yakima Herald-Republic over the weekend for her role in the upcoming production of “9 to 5 the Musical” at the Warehouse Theatre Company (WTC).

Department chair and public health professor Tishra Beeson will be playing the role of Doralee Rhodes — made famous by Dolly Parton in the 1980 film, 9 to 5 — in the musical, which will run May 2-4, 9-11, and 15-18 at the WTC in Yakima.

“As a lifelong fan of Dolly Parton, this is one of those dream roles that you hold on to as long as possible,” Beeson said in the Yakima Herald-Republic story, written by Vance Jennings, the WTC executive director. “I'm so honored to have a chance to share a part of the ‘9 to 5’ story again, with a fresh perspective from the cast and production team.”

Beeson also played Doralee in the Valley Musical Theatre production of 9 to 5 the Musical last July in Ellensburg. She explained in the article that she looks forward to performing the role in the much-smaller WTC space, which measures just 20 feet by 20 feet.

“I feel so fortunate to have had two incredibly positive experiences with this show, across two community theaters in the region,” Beeson said. “I give a lot of credit to both production teams because both encouraged the cast to engage with the history and context of women's workplace experiences in 1979. That allows us to authentically tell the ‘9 to 5’ story.”

This will be her second WTC show, having played Audrey in the 2022 production of “Little Shop of Horrors,” a role for which she won that season’s award for Best Actress in a Leading Role.

Working with a veteran WTC cast, crew and director to bring 9 to 5 to Yakima has been another great experience for Beeson.

“This is such a spectacular team,” she said. “Everyone has been so willing to pitch in and make contributions wherever needed. There’s an organic spirit of collaboration and trust that you just can't manufacture. This is why I love community theater!”

Tickets for the opening of 9 to 5 the Musical will be available to the general public on Thursday, April 25, at warehousetheatrecompany.org or at the WTC box office, 1610 S. 24th Ave., from 3:30-6:30 p.m. weekdays.