9 to 5 The Musical

Penrith Musical Comedy Company’s Australian Premiere production of the Dolly Parton / Patricia Resnick musical 9 to 5, based on the 1980 movie, was a thoroughly entertaining evening at the theatre.

This fresh new musical to the amateur theatre scene was a joy to watch, with a laugh a minute script, performed by a large cast of 30 with an exceptional leading trio of women. Taking on the bright new musical was the talented team of Grant Jones as Director, Kieran Norman and Michael Nolan, Musical Directors, and the highly experienced Laurie Tancred as Choreographer.

The musical is about three women working office jobs at the fictional “Consolidated Industries” in the 1970s. At the head of the company is the domineering and lecherous president Franklin Hart Junior (Mike Newcombe). Beginning the show, we meet Judy Bernly (Racheal Gilfeather) on her first day. Judy, inexperienced and needing a job after her impending divorce from husband Dick (Dave Tucker), is taken under the wing by the ambitious company stalwart Violet Newstead (Leanne Smith). Violet vows to train Judy to help keep her place at Consolidated as long as there’s no more tears. The last of the trio is Doralee Rhodes (Fiona Brennan), the smitten secretary of Franklin Hart Jnr. Doralee is looked down upon by the other girls in the office, as they believe she’s having an affair with the boss, which she isn’t. Once Judy and Violet find out the truth, they set out to get back at the boss. Added to the mix of fun roles is admirer of Franklin, PA - Roz Keith (Samantha O’Hare), who is always trying to catch any employee not doing the right thing.

The score of Nine to Five is every bit hit after hit, and allowed Tancred to really show off the talented dancers she had in the cast. Numbers like “Around Here” by Violet and the ensemble looked fantastic, as they used the stage well with such a big cast. Another highlight was “Backwoods Barbie”, hilariously sung by Fiona Brennan.

The song that brought the house down though was “Get Out and Stay Out” performed by Gilfeather with such power behind it that Dick, who she was singing it to looked emotionally bowled over. The song about Judy having her own independence and not taking him back after he comes crawling to her was standing ovation worthy.

The trio of Gilfeather, Smith and Brennan had great chemistry - you really believed they were great friends by the end of the show. Each actor shone on their own as well as when they were together onstage. Three of the best women on the amateur theatre scene, they all have terrific voices and their acting is just as good. Samantha O’Hare, as Roz, had tremendous comedy timing and her song “Heart to Hart” was another that left the audience in fits of giggles throughout. Another actor to mention was Mario Nowfal as Joe, the office worker who was trying to get Violet to go out on a date with him the whole show. Mario’s voice was brilliant in his duet with Smith in “Let Love Grow”. The ensemble all vocally very strong, and while some were not so in step in choreography, they didn’t let this show on their faces.

The set was pretty static, with the office view background up the entire performance, with just a few office set pieces brought on to set certain scenes. This worked well though and the lifting of Franklin (Newcombe) by harness in act two was very funny.

Grant Jones’ direction and had many lovely moments. To have such a large cast to co-ordinate would have been no easy feat. Credit also to Kieran Norman and the orchestra, which sounded amazing.

Penrith Musical Comedy Company should be very proud of such a smooth and professional looking Premiere Production.

I hope other groups decide to do this show in the future as it’s such an entertaining theatre experience.

James Russell