Talented trio to Star in Dolly Parton’s hit musical

Casey Donovan, Marina Prior, Erin Clare. Photo by Peter Brew-Bevan.

The countdown is on to the Australian premiere of 9 To 5 The Musical, Dolly Parton’s smash-hit West End musical, which arrives at the Lyric Theatre, QPAC on 22 May, following the Sydney season at the Capitol Theatre from 16 February.

The producers have assembled a top line cast to inhabit these iconic and much loved roles. Marina Prior will play Violet Newstead, a smart, sassy and efficient woman who has worked all her life at Consolidated Industries. She has all it takes to run the company but there is one small issue … her boss! Marina gained prominence as Cosette in the Australian premiere of Les Misérables and Christine Daae in The Phantom of the Opera, and has grown to become one of Australia’s most accomplished leading ladies, playing lead roles in The Sound of Music, Mary Poppins, The Secret Garden and countless other productions.

Casey Donovan will be Judy Bernly, a newly separated, never worked before young woman who finds more than just a job at Consolidated Industries. Casey shot to stardom after winning Australian Idol as a 16 year old in 2004, and has since become an audience favourite in concert and in musical theatre. Most recently she played Matron Mama Morton in the smash hit musical Chicago, and has performed in The Flower Children, The Sapphires, Rent and We Will Rock You.

Erin Clare will play Doralee Rhodes, a ‘don’t mess with me’ well-brought-up, bright and beautiful country gal. She may look like a push over but is anything but! Following her first starring role as Scaramouche in The Gordon Frost Organisation’s national tour of We Will Rock You, she has featured in Heathers the Musical, American Psycho, High Fidelity, American Idiot and Merrily We Roll Along.

This talented trio join Caroline O’Connor and Eddie Perfect in the lead roles. Caroline O’Connor plays busy-body Roz Keith, the administration assistant who is fiercely - and unrequitedly - in love with her boss Franklin Hart Jnr. Caroline has played lead roles on Broadway, in the West End, France and across Australia, including Chicago, Anything Goes, West Side Story, On The Town, Man of La Mancha, Bombshells, A Christmas Story and Anastasia to name just a few. Eddie Perfect will play the controlling boss Franklin Hart Jnr. One of Australia's most respected and prolific writers and performers, Eddie is perhaps best known as all-round nice guy Mick Holland on Channel 10’s hit series Offspring, and has been seen in Kath and Kim, Spicks And Specks and numerous comedy shows including ABC TV’s Stand Up, The Melbourne Comedy Festival Gala and Good News Week.

“I am so excited that Marina, Casey and Erin will be playing Violet, Judy and Doralee alongside Caroline and Eddie in the Australian cast of 9 TO 5,” said Dolly Parton. “The response to 9 TO 5 from around the world has been incredible so far. I can't wait for everyone down under to have a fun (and funny!) night out at 9 TO 5.”

Producers John Frost for Crossroads Live Australia, Suzanne Jones and Ambassador Theatre Group Productions said, “We’re thrilled that Marina and Erin will return to the cast of 9 TO 5 to join Caroline and Eddie, and that the wonderful Casey Donovan will be alongside them. Now 9 TO 5 is back in business with a full cast, theatres booked and audiences clamouring to buy tickets. So put on your Saturday best and join us for the most fun you’ll have all year at 9 TO 5.”

A sensation on the West End and inspired by the hit film, the musical tells the story of Doralee, Violet and Judy, three enterprising workmates pushed to the edge by their mean-spirited boss Franklin Hart Jnr. Resorting to wit, comradery and cunning, they dream up a no holds barred scheme to kidnap and turn the tables on their controlling supervisor in the most hilariously defiant of ways. The only question is, will the feisty trio manage to change the office culture to reach their full potential - or will events unravel when the CEO pays an unexpected visit?

With a score by Dolly Parton and a book by the iconic movie’s original screenwriter Patricia Resnick, 9 TO 5 is the quintessential feel-good show for the times. Full of mischief, laughter and affection, it’s gold carat fun!

Based on the 20th Century Fox Picture. Originally produced on Broadway by Robert Greenblatt, April 2009. Performed by arrangement with Music Theatre International (Europe) Limited.

SYDNEY SEASON DETAILS

Venue Capitol Theatre, Campbell Street, Haymarket

Season From 16 February 2022

Performance Times Wed-Sat 7.30pm, Wed 1pm, Sat 2pm, Sun 1pm & 6pm

Prices From $69.00 (Transaction fees apply)

Bookings 9to5themusical.com.au or 136 100

Groups 8+ call 1300 889 278

BRISBANE SEASON DETAILS

Venue Lyric Theatre, QPAC

Season From 22 May 2022

Performance Times Wed 6:30pm, Thurs-Sat 7.30pm, Wed 1pm, Sat 2pm, Sun 1pm & 6pm

Prices: From $69.00 (Transaction fees apply)

Bookings: 9to5themusical.com.au or phone 136 246

Groups 8+ call (07) 3840 7466