9 to 5

So? 9 to 5. I found myself in the middle of a packed audience in Coolum, which consisted mainly of women. Mamma Mia!, all over again. They were there for a really good time, they whooped, laughed and applauded at a genuinely funny – and quite silly - show. 

Like Mamma Mia!, I was seduced by this chick flick musical comedy. Ok – it’s hardly an essay on politically correct gender politics (thank God), and it’s hardly a gut-wrenching ordeal like Les Mis. But it is an honest and perfect piece of fluff for a Saturday night. It’s not supposed to make you think – it’s supposed to make you smile and laugh. And it did that in bucketfuls.

The plot is quite simple. Three women have had enough of their abusive misogynist boss. After his accidental poisoning, they kidnap him till they can get dirt on him and therefore force his resignation. While he is suspended from the ceiling of his garage, they slowly change the company to a fair and equitable place and the productivity goes up accordingly. By the end everyone gets what they deserve. (Yes – a plot that can only happen in a musical. Better not question a plot that has the structural integrity of navel lint or that chain reaction might bring the world of musicals crashing down). 

Of course, it contains the hallmark for all recent Coolum productions – talent. Not only talent but depth of talent. I can’t praise the leads enough. First there were the triumvirate of coworkers Violet (Femke Van Der Kallen), Doralee (Lisa Waters) and Judy (Stephanie Russell). Together they were an essay in chemistry and working in unison. Violet was the earth mother. Anchoring the show, giving it its secure foundations but being the earthquake when needed. Doralee was the water, all bright and bubbly, full of down-on-the-farm philosophies but becomes a Tsunami when pushed. Judy was the air, hard to pin down, slightly off with then fairies but could become a cyclone when needed. These three could sing, dance and act. Brilliant work. But the real magic was the way they worked together. They complimented each other and never tried to outshine each other. 

These were more than ably supported by Matty Johnston as Franklin, the obnoxious and one-dimensional boss, Kate Pearson as Roz Keith (his besotted office snitch and pet terrier) and Madi Lee as Joe, the all-round good guy to balance out Franklin. Getting the casting right for the major supports is just as important as getting the leads right. These three were an excellent example of how the supports do exactly that – they support and therefore lift up the leads. Without them any production collapses or is too one sided.  Great work from all three. In fact, a big shout out to the entire cast. The minor parts and chorus were all of a standard that amplified the show and didn’t drag it down. A rare thing. 

Another big shout out to Linda Gefken (who double dipped as director and musical director). Both were top shelf stuff. Great staging. Building a thrust stage out from the main stage is an absolute must for the Coolum Civic Centre. It becomes too much of a cavern if you don’t.  This thrust amplified the comedy because the cast is closer to the audience! And generally, well done in traffic control. Ms Gefken managed to get the horde (chorus) on and off stage without any major mishaps. And when you add to this the amount of costume changes then it became very well-rehearsed traffic control. Choreographer (Nicole Kaminiski) was obviously her co-traffic controller. She managed to flood the stage with movement when it needed to be flooded and kept in spartan when it didn’t. 

Standouts – “One of the Boys” (Violet), “Cowgirls Revenge” (Doralee) Roz’s and “Get out and Stay Out” (Judy) – which was the ultimate destination of a well thought out and timed character arc by Stephanie Russell. 

Problems? A few. Mainly glitches with the techs. But the gremlins of theatre are always an unpredictable bunch.  My major reservations / criticisms of the show were in the show's actual structure (nothing to do with Coolum’s production). 9 to 5 is one of the spearheads of rom coms that are now flooding our stages (BYTES are doing Legally Blonde at the moment). Strange history – a comedy film. A decision is made to cast Dolly Parton to broaden her performance portfolio. Well, if she’s in it she might as well write the theme song. The theme song became a mega hit. The mega hit becomes its new centre and it is grafted into a musical. And herein lies a bit of the problem. Is it a funny script that keeps on being interrupted by music? Is it a musical that gets sidetracked by a funny script? And like Ladies in Black, which I saw at Noosa a few weeks ago the first act is horrendously long (90 minutes) and its second act flies by at about 40 minutes. The trouble with the 90 minute first act is that it takes 30 mins for the play to hit its straps. 

In short – If you want to have a bit of mindless fun, metaphorically boo the villain and cheer the plucky heroines then, if there are any left, get yourself a ticket. A silly show that’s perfect for the silly season. 

So, I have reviewed 9 to 5 – what a way to make a living.

Simon Denver

Images: Liza Burgess: Liza Rain Photography