9 to 5 The Musical REVIEW July 14 2022 ****

MUSIC THEATRE 

Music and Lyrics  Dolly Parton; Book by Patricia Resnick 

At State Theatre, Arts Centre Melbourne until September 18, 2022 

Reviewer: Kate Herbert 

Stars: ****

This review was first published in The Age Arts online on Sunday July 17, 2022, and in print on Monday July 18, 2022. Click this link 9 to 5 the Musical.

9 to 5 -Casey Donovan, Marina Prior, Erin Clare & Ensemble- image David Hooley

 

9 to 5 The Musical is much like its creator, Dolly Parton: perky, colourful, amiable, singable and fully renovated – and it doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s almost enough to make you want to visit Dollywood! Almost.

 

The inimitable Parton is front and centre in the new, updated version of this eminently consumable and frothy production directed by Jeff Calhoun who realised that audiences wanted to see and hear Parton in person – well, pre-recorded, at least. Her beaming smile and broad southern accent feature on the enormous clockface above the stage, from where she provides background to characters and even sings along to 9 to 5 in the finale.

 

This feel-good show is a workplace revenge comedy with music and lyrics by Parton and book by Patricia Resnick, screenwriter of the original 1980 movie starring Parton, Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda.

 

The musical is set in 1980 in the offices of Consolidated Industries where boss, Franklin Hart Jnr. (Eddie Perfect), who epitomises the ugly “male chauvinist pig”, sexually harasses and objectifies his attractive, married secretary, Doralee Rhodes (Erin Clare), impedes the career advancement of super-competent, single mother, Violet Newstead (Marina Prior), and docks the pay of timid, recently divorced, new gal, Judy Bernly (Casey Donovan).

 

Violet, Doralee and Judy instigate a workplace coup that is no velvet revolution; suffice to say it involves bondage, leather, chains and rat poison.

 

The songs bear Parton’s recognisable signature, enhanced by inspired orchestrations played by a tight band, and the toe-tappin’ hit, 9 to 5, which opens and closes the show, has the crowd clapping and cheering.

 

The incomparable, exuberant Caroline O’Connor, as office snoop, Roz Keith, almost steals the show with her mischievous, quirky and hilariously clownish performance of Heart to Hart, a saucy ode to Mr. Hart, her unattainable idol.

9 to 5 Caroline O'Connor Eddie Perfect - image David Hooley

 Clare is vivacious as Parton lookalike, Doralee, singing Backwoods Barbie with a bright country twang, while Prior shares a sweet, moving duet, Let Love Grow, with Ethan Jones as her younger admirer, Joe. Donovan displays her vocal virtuosity in the penultimate song, Get Out and Stay Out, shifting tone from sweet to bold and passionate.

 

Nina Dunn’s projections enhance Tom Rogers’ set design that frames the open-plan workspace and dark, woody corporate office with racks of grey computers that transform to vivid colour after the women’s takeover. All scene changes are cunningly disguised with short bursts of Lisa Stevens’ crisp, sassy, vibrant choreography by the versatile ensemble.

 

While celebrating female empowerment, 9 to 5 The Musical gives us licence to laugh at the critical issues of workplace bullying, sexism, inequity and corporate abuse of power. Now we get back to the serious business of change!

 

Reviewed by Kate Herbert

9 to 5 -Erin Clare, Marina Prior,Casey Donovan- image David Hooley

Cast

Marina Prior – Violet Newstead

Casey Donovan – Judy Bernly

Erin Clare – Doralee Rhodes

Caroline O’Connor – Roz Keith

Eddie Perfect – Franklin Hart Jnr.

 

Creatives

Director - Jeff Calhoun

Choreographer- Lisa Stevens

Set and costume designer- Tom Rogers

Lighting designer- Howard Hudson

Musical director- James Simpson