9 To 5 THE MUSICAL

 

9 to 5 The Musical Music and Lyrics by Dolly Parton. Book by Patricia Resnick. Based on the 20^th Century Fox Picture. Arrangements and additional orchestrations Stephen Oremus and Alex Lacamoire. Orchestrator Bruce Coghlan.

Directed by Sarah Hull. Choreographer Lauren Chapman. Musical Director Jenna Hinton. Assistant Director Anna Tully. Production Manager David Tricks. Repetiteur Brigid Cummins. Stage Manager Sarah Morris. Costume design Samantha Marceddo. Lighting design Jacob Aquilino (Eclipse) Sound Design Telia Jansen (Eclipse) Properties Master Helen McIntyre, Queanbeyan Players. The Q Queanbeyan-Palarang Performing Arts Centre. October 31 – November 9 2025. Bookings 62856290 or www.theq.net.au

Reviewed by Peter Wilkins

 

Sienna Curnow (Doralee Rhodes), Sarah Copley (Judy Bernly), Kate Eisenberg (Violet Newstead) and Ensemble Secretaries

The year is 1979 and it’s a man’s world. But the times they are a changing and secretaries Violet Newstead (Kate Eisenberg), Judy Bernly (Sarah Copley) and Doralee Rhodes (Sienna Curnow) are out to champion the cause for women.

Consolidated Industries is led by CEO Franklin Hart, a hypocritical, lying, sexist and egotistical bigot (Steven O’Mara). It is time for the women to make a drastic stand to overthrow the patriarchy and show what it takes to restore integrity, dignity and respect to the worksplace.

The instant the ensemble launches into Working 9 to 5 as the opening number, bursting with gusto and verve it is obvious that Queanbeyan Players’ production of 9 to 5 The Musical is going to be one helluva powerhouse production.

Shennia Spillane as Roz Keith and Ensemble women

In recent years I have watched Queanbeyan Players cement its place as one of the leading musical theatre producers in the ACT and Qiueanbeyan. 9 to 5 The Musical is no exception. It is assisted by Dolly Parton’s lively music and lyrics and Patricia Resnick’s fun filled book of moments of hilarity and tongue in cheek satire. It’s no earth-shaker of a musical but it is based on a trailblazer of a film that gave voice to women and exposed the injustice of rampant sexism. More than that 9 to 5 The Musical is a showcase of the remarkable talent that continues to bring high quality amateur musical theatre productions to the community. Director Sarah Hull keeps the action rollicking along in a tightly directed work. She is assisted by Lauren Chapman whose chorography is stylish slick and diverse and can make every performer look good on the stage. The cream on the top of this cherry pie production is Jenna Hinton’s musical direction and the professionalism of an orchestra that is musically excellent and imbues the spirit of the show. Hull, Chapman and Hinton have cast an amateur cast that in this production are not only fabulous singers but also terrific actors.

Eisenberg is the long-time employee of the company, Violet, constantly overlooked for promotion by the misogynistic Hart. Copley’s naïve and innocent newcomer is a delight to watch on stage as Judy grows in strength and confidence, supported by her rebellious sisters in arms. Curnow brings a touch of Dolly to the trio and proves that Doralee is a force to be reckoned with. O’Mara’s Hart oozes sleazy sexism but in the end Pat Gallagher’s chairman of the board is no fool and it is inevitable in every good story that the villain should get his just desserts.

In a company as talented as this there are standouts. None more so than Shennia Spillane in the role of the devoted lackey, Roz Keith. Writer Resnick has cleverly drawn a character to contrast with the feisty trio. In a knockout number Heart To Hart, Spillane burns with unrequited love as her devotion to the lecherous Hart reaches orgasmic longings. As Violet’s lovelorn admirer, Joe, Dave Collins’s fine voice is layered with sentiment in his duet Let Love Grow with Violet.  Copley show Judy’s strength when she asserts her independence from a fickle ex-husband in Get Out and Stay Out.

Shennia Spillane as Roz, Steven O'Mara as Franklin Hart

My only criticism of this finely staged production of 9 to 5 The Musical is that the sound levels on Opening Night robbed the production of clarity of lyrics in the ensemble numbers and the subtlety of the show might have been enhanced by more sensitive modulation. This is an opening night issue and is easily fixed so that each number in the show is a unique rendition of Parton’s original numbers. This was less of a problem in the dialogue scenes and individual numbers such as I Just Might with Judy, Doralee and Violet or One of The Boys with Violet and the Boys.

Sienna Curnow as Doralee and Line Dancers

In a rousing Finale of Working 9 to 5 Queanbeyan Players hit the high note of a fun filled night at The Q. However, it is worth noting the 9 To 5 The Musical is no flibbertygibbit night of froth and bubble. The 1980 film with Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Dolly Parton hit the screens almost fifty years ago. Australian society has come a long way since then with more women occupying CEO positions and the Chairs of important organizations. But what of the working woman, their working conditions and attitudes that prevent Violet’s demands of respect, integrity and dignity. Queanbeyan Players’ excellent production continues to blaze a trail for change as well as providing a night of first-rate entertainment.

The Orchestra: Conductor Jen Hinton, Guitars 1 and 3, Christopher Bennie and Lindsay Hunt, Bass Liz Collier, Reeds 1 and 2 Sarah Pfeiffer, Kirsten Nillson/Casey Paige Magnussen Trombone Maddy Upfold/James Harding. Percussion Tim Cole. Drums Stephen Barrat. Keys 1 and 2 Brigid Cummins and Lauren Duffy. Trumpets 1 and 2 Andrew Terracini and Chris Cutting. Pit Singers Hannah Miller, Luke Ferdinands, Rachel Baker, Hannah Osbourne.

Photography by Photox- Canberra Photographic Imaging