ABOUT THE LAWYER SHOW
Auditions are now open for The 2026 Lawyer Show!
A beloved fixture in our community, The Lawyer Show returns for its 23rd production, showcasing the finest acting and musical talents of Vancouver’s legal community. Under the guidance of professional directors and designers, selected participants will embark on an extraordinary creative journey, culminating in five unforgettable performances from May 27–30, 2026, on the stunning Newmont Stage at the BMO Theatre Centre in Olympic Village. Each performance will be followed by a reception in the elegant BMO Lobby, offering a perfect opportunity to celebrate the show’s success. Ticket sales, program ads, and sponsorship opportunities will be available soon.
Proceeds from this signature fundraising event support Touchstone Theatre Society, a not-for-profit professional theatre company dedicated to producing and presenting bold, contemporary works from Canada/Turtle Island. Touchstone shines a spotlight on stories that explore who we are, where we are, and where we’re heading as a nation of nations.
The Lawyer Show 2024, company of INTO THE WOODS.
The Lawyer Show 2023, company of MAMMA MIA!
THE PRODUCTION
The Lawyer Show 2026: 9 to 5 The Musical
Music and Lyrics by DOLLY PARTON
Book by PATRICIA RESNICK
Based on the Twentieth Century Fox film
Directed by Lois Anderson
SYNOPSIS
9 to 5 is based on the 1980 movie of the same name, and features music and lyrics by Dolly Parton. It centers on the working lives of three women, Violet, Judy, and Doralee. They all work at Consolidated Industries, which is presided over by the sexist, pompous, Franklin Hart. Violet has worked at Consolidated for many years, but has never been given the chance to rise above senior supervisor status, although she is capable of much more. Hart passes Violet over for yet another promotion, at the same time as Doralee finds out that Hart has been telling everyone they are having an affair. Joined by new hire Judy, Violet and Doralee fantasize about how they could destroy Hart. When Violet almost unwittingly poisons Hart he threatens them with the police. They kidnap him, tie him up in his house, and in his absence Violet, Judy, and Doralee run the office to great effect. They introduce childcare, hour-long lunch breaks, rehab programs, and much more to benefit the staff at Consolidated and the Chairperson of the Board praises the company’s increased productivity. Hart is released but to his chagrin he discovers he has been demoted by the Board, who happily promote Violet as the first female CEO of Consolidated.
Character Breakdown
VIOLET NEWSTEAD | Violet is a smart, efficient, widowed mother of a teenage son who is constantly being passed up for promotion in the boys’-club world of climbing the corporate ladder. She runs the office from her desk while her boss takes the credit. She is frustrated with her position, but not bitter. Witty, strong, ambitious. Alto (F3–D5)
JUDY BERNLY | Judy Bernly is a meek housewife with her first foray into the working world when her husband runs off with his secretary. A bit insecure, determined, and hopeful—Judy changes throughout the play into a force to be reckoned with. Mezzo-soprano (Ab3–F5).
DORALEE RHODES | Doralee Rhodes is a country gal who is the secretary for the boss, Franklin Hart. She is misunderstood at the beginning of the play due to rumors about an affair with the boss, but comes to be a strong cog in the machine that destroys Hart. Country singing. Comedy is sharp and no-nonsense. Soprano with high belt (G3–E5)
ROZ KEITH | Roz Keith is the office busy-body, is not-so-secretly in love with Mr. Hart, and does everything she can to undermine the rest of the office to earn his affections. Over the top comedic role. Alto (C5–G3)
FRANKLIN HART | Franklin Hart is a pompous jerk of a boss. If he weren’t the boss, he would have no friends at all. Smarmy. Sexist, Egotistical, Lying, Hypocritical, Bigot. Baritone (Gb4–C3)
JOE | Charming, attractive accountant who is interested in Violet. Doubles in the Men’s Ensemble. Tenor (G4–B2)
DWAYNE RHODES | Doralee’s supportive husband. Country. Doubles in the Men’s Ensemble. Tenor (G4–E2)
DICK BERNLY | Judy’s soon-to-be ex-husband. An average guy, he is sporting a little less hair and a little more paunch than he did ten years ago.
JOSH NEWSTEAD | Violet’s awkward teenage son.
KATHY | Office Gossip. Doubles in the Women’s Ensemble.
MARGARET | Office lush. Doubles in the Women’s Ensemble.
MARIA | Vibrant secretary. Doubles in the Women’s Ensemble.
MISSY HART | Hart’s Wife. Fluttery and funny. Doubles in the Women’s Ensemble.
ENSEMBLE MEMBERS | Great character types and/or strong singer-actor-dancers who will fill out the rest of this wacky world as office employees, police officers, hospital employees.
AUDITION CALL | ACTORS
ACTORS | SUBMIT A SELF-TAPE by Sept 11
To audition please submit a self-tape by Thursday, Sept 11 – 11:59PM to lawyershowproduction@touchstonetheatre.com. For your self-tape, please sing a song of your choice that represents the character you are interested in. Here are some suggestions: https://musicaltheatreresources.com/2024/11/21/the-best-audition-songs-for-9-to-5-the-musical-by-character/
In your audition email, please include:
- Your audition tape
- An audition form, which you can download here.
- Indicate the character you are interested in (or if you are interested in Ensemble.)
STEP 2: CALL BACKS
Selected individuals may be invited to attend call backs on Monday, Sept 29 between 6:30 & 9:30PM. This callback may include a dance routine and acting sides.
Note: Not everyone will be booked for a call-back. If you are not called back it does not indicate that you have not been cast in a lead role. Casting for some roles may occur straight from the audition video.
LOCATION OF CALLBACKS: The Post at 750
750 Hamilton Street (same building as CBC, a separate entrance up the many steps next to JJ Bean)
Buzzer 110
AUDITION CALL | MUSICIANS
MUSICIANS | Interested in playing in the BAND? You do not need to send an Audition tape but please fill in an Audition form and email to lawyershowproduction@touchstonetheatre.com
Instrumentation required for 9to5:
- Keyboard 2
- Reed 1 (Piccolo, Flute, Clarinet, Alto Sax)
- Reed 2 (Flute, Clarinet, Tenor Sax, Soprano Sax, Bass Clarinet)
- Trumpet 2 (Trumpet, Flugelhorn)
- Trombone (Trombone, Bass Trombone)
- Bass (Acoustic, Electric)
- Guitar (Solid Body Electric, Banjo, Ukulele, Nylon Acoustic, Arch Top, Semi Hollow Body)
- Drums
- Percussion (Alarm SFX, bells, bongos, cabasa, castanets, chimes, congas, cowbells, egg shaker, shakers, tambourine, tam tam, timpani, xylophone)
PRODUCTION ASSISTANCE
If helping behind-the-scenes appeals to you like doing PROPS or SET BUILDING, please submit an Audition Form to lawyershowproduction@touchstonetheatre.com
REHEARSAL SCHEDULE
We are still confirming dates but proposed rehearsals will take place TUESDAY & THURSDAY NIGHTS, as well as SUNDAY EVENINGS starting March 10th, 2026.
Tech and Dress Rehearsal, as well as the production run will take place from MAY 24-30, 2026 at the BMO Theatre.
FUNDRAISING COMMITMENT
The Lawyer Show is a critical fundraising event for Touchstone theatre. As such, we ask that participants be prepared to sell at least 15 tickets and contribute towards the Silent Auction, as well as helping Touchstone staff to procure company sponsorships and programme ad sales.
