High energy 'Working Girl' opens with 80s flair at La Jolla Playhouse

by Cassiopeia Guthrie, Nov. 14, 2025

Attitude, drive and touseled 80s hair reach new heights in Cyndi Lauper, Theresa Rebeck, and Christopher Ashley's new screen-to-stage adaptation of Working Girl, currently enjoying its debut at the La Jolla Playhouse. Based on the 1988 star-studded film of the same name, the musical's callbacks to the source material begin immediately with the opening scene aboard the Staten Island Ferry as Tess (Joanna “JoJo” Levesque), her best friend Cyn (Ashley Blanchet), and a cadre of fellow secretaries commute to their office jobs in the city.

Intelligent and fiercely motivated, Wall Street secretary Tess McGill is frustrated with the misogyny, sexualization, and limitations hindering her career in spite of hard work, a night school degree, and consistent efforts. It is not until Tess is transferred under the supervision of a new female boss, indominatable vixen Kate Parker (Lesley Rodriguez Kritzer), that it becomes clear that the glass ceiling might not be as impermeable as Tess had previously believed... at least not for women with the right connections. Then Kate tries to capitalize on one of Tess' business ideas behind her back. In retribution, Tess takes a page from her boss' book, realizing that she, too, can use manipulation to achieve her goals, all while dragging new friend and flirtation Jack (Anoop Desai) along for the ride.

Under the discerning eye of Christopher Ashley and in tandem with costume designer Linda Cho, Working Girl is filled with all of the flair that characterizes the 80s era: there's a rock band in acid-washed ripped jeans, ladies in shoulder pads and slouch socks, an excess of aerosol-touched hair (thanks to spot-on wigs by Charles G. LaPointe), bodacious dance moves, and a boombox. A simple scenic design by AMP (featuring Erica Jiaying Zhang) subtly shifts the space between office floor corner bar, ferry deck, and upscale apartment, while Hana S. Kim's inventive projection scheme brings city streets and shifts in daylight to life through a multitude of "window" screens. Likewise, that movement is palpable in choreographer Sarah O'Gleby's delightful office dance numbers, paired with Lauper's catchy songs, which keep the energy high.

The cast of the production is outstanding. Of particular note is Levesque as an idealistic and hopeful Tess. Levesque's enthusiasm and earnestness somehow make the character trustworthy and likable despite the fact that she spends a significant portion of the production pretending to be someone she is not. I was surprised to find myself rooting for her throughout the show as she evaded the truth and made mistakes. After all, she ultimately learned and grew... and besides, she is charting a path in a world not meant for her. "I will not make myself invisible for them," she insists at one point. I can only imagine that many, many others — myself included — know exactly how that feels.

Additionally, the sweetness of the friendship between Tess and Cyn is touching. In Levesque and Blanchet's careful hands, we are reminded that the people who truly love us will guide and support us through our most challenging days. Kudos also go to Desai (Jack), a power vocalist who nails the unique challenge of playing a role once tackled by young Harrison Ford in a personable, charismatic, and pitch-perfect way, and Kritzer (Parker) who is devilishly efficient and terrifyingly predatorial.

The cast also includes Joey Taranto (Mick), and ensemble members Alisa Melendez, Sydni Moon, Amy Hillner Larsen, Jacqueline B. Arnold, Jennifer Perry, Ashley Levin, Bailey Lee, Nathan Madden, Ian Wad, Elliot Sagay, Julio Rey, Jess Bhamrah, and Michael Genet, as well as swings Patricia Jewel, Jaxon Smith, Gabi Stapula, and Sean Watkinson, all of whom deliver stellar performances.

Polished and artfully executed, Working Girl is a light and boppy escape to an era that, despite the chauvinism rooted in the musical's storyline, nevertheless remains nostalgic and fun. Those who love the charm of the 80s will likely find it worth the trip! Working Girl runs at La Jolla Playhouse through December 14.