Working '9 to 5' is a way to make a living, but we all need nights out full of fun and mischief to break it up.
Dolly Parton's '9 To 5 The Musical' is ready to deliver this fun. The Australian premiere of '9 To 5' is coming to Sydney's Capitol Theatre in February next year, with tickets on sale now.
Assembled to play the powerful leading ladies is a top-line cast featuring Marina Prior, as intelligent and sassy Violet Newstead, Erin Clare, as bright country girl Doralee Rhodes, joined by the fantastic Casey Donovan, as the newly-separated Judy Bernly, who is fresh to the workforce.
Casey, making waves in the musical world of late (with roles such as Matron 'Mama' Morton in 'Chicago' and Killer Queen in 'We Will Rock You'), is ready to delve into Judy Bernly, make the character her own and taking to the stage once again. An audience favourite in concert and musical theatre, Casey is excited to help bring such a timeless story to life on stage.
"The '9 To 5' movie itself was ahead of its time and to have it adapted into a theatre piece is excellent," Casey says. The musical celebrates unapologetic female empowerment with the three ingenious workmates pushed to the edge by their mean-spirited boss. The women come together to turn the tables on their supervisor in hilarious and defiant ways.
"[Female empowerment] is very much loud and proud at the minute, and women are banding together and making our voices heard. Telling people we're not going anywhere, we're here to stay, and we're here to make change.”
Full of mischief and laughter, '9 To 5 The Musical' features fan-worshipped Dolly Parton songs and a whole lot more than just a cup of ambition. Audiences are up for a great night out with big numbers.
Having just been cheated on and separated from her husband, character Judy Bernly's life is in turmoil when she's forced to step into the workforce for the first time. "She's got a lot of depth, good old Judy", Casey describes. "She has to go out there and fend for herself; it's about knowing you've got to keep going and learn about yourself through that growth."
The cast is happy to be back in business and excited to have Casey joining them to bring the witty and hilarious story of '9 To 5' to life in Australia after excellent reviews worldwide.
"I cannot wait to be back on stage," Casey says. We all could do with unplugging from the world and taking a trip to the good old '80s! That's what I love about theatre, it transports you to another world for two-and-a-half hours, and then you're like 'okay, back to work'," Casey laughs.
The trio of women work together to change the toxic office culture. Casey says it's been great working and connecting with Marina and Erin in these roles: "We all just fell into place and get along like a house on fire."
"Dolly is a woman of many talents, and the one thing I love about her is she is so switched on in the industry and was true to her word in the lyrics of '9 To 5'; it's a way to make a living."
The best way to enjoy '9 To 5 The Musical' in Casey's words?
"Sing along, and be transported back to the '80s!”
Dolly Parton’s '9 To 5 The Musical' plays at Capitol Theatre (Sydney) from 16 February, and Queensland Performing Arts Centre from 22 May.
