AUDITION BRIEF
9 to 5: The Musical Australia 2020
THE SHOW
9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL is getting down to business at Sydney’s Lyric Theatre from April 2020 Inspired by the hit film and brought to us by Dolly herself, this hilarious musical is about teaming up, standing up and taking care of business!
This smash-hit West End musical features a book by the iconic movie’s original screenwriter Patricia Resnick and an Oscar, Grammy and Tony award-nominated score by the Queen of Country herself, Dolly Parton including her much-loved hit song, 9 to 5!
9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL tells the story of Doralee, Violet and Judy - three workmates pushed to boiling point by their sexist, egotistical boss. Concocting a plan to kidnap and turn the tables on their despicable supervisor, will the ladies manage to reform their office - or will events unravel when the CEO pays an unexpected visit?
PRODUCTION TEAM
AUSTRALIAN PRODUCERS JOHN FROST & SUZANNE JONES
INTERNATIONAL PRODUCERS AMBASSADOR THEATRE GROUP
MUSIC AND LYRICS DOLLY PARTON
BOOK PATRICIA RESNICK
DIRECTOR JEFF CALHOUN
CHOREOGRAPHER LISA STEVENS
MUSIC SUPERVISOR MARK CROSSLAND
AU. RESIDENT DIRECTOR KAREN JOHNSON MORTIMER
AU. MUSICAL DIRECTOR DANIEL EDMONDS
AUDITIONS CHOREOGRAPHY AMY CAMPBELL ASSISTANT
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AUDITON DATES
MELBOURNE 11 – 15 November 2019
Venue: Patrick Studios, 2/140 High Street, Windsor VIC 3181
SYDNEY 16 – 21 November 2019
Venue: Village @ AMPA, Unit 4/85 O’Riordan Street, Alexandria NSW 2015
Please note not all applicants will receive an audition. You will be notified of an audition time by 11 November 2019, if you have been successful. Late applications will not be accepted.
AUDITON PREPARATION
If you are allocated an audition time please prepare the following:
• One (1) short pop song or country song in the style Dolly Parton that shows off your vocal range. • Everyone will be required to dance FIRST. Please bring appropriate dance wear and shoes. If you are released after the dance call you won’t be required to sing.
What to bring to your audition: • CV • Headshot • Sheet music for accompanist. No backing tracks. • For the dance call, please wear appropriate dance wear and bring character shoes, jazz shoes, sneakers/trainers & knee pads. Men, please wear long dance pants.
SUBMISSIONS & DEADLINE
All submissions must be must be made via the GFO Audition Portal https://registration.gordonfrostorganisation.com. Due to the overwhelming number of audition applications we have received on recent shows, we will not be able to change Audition cities or appointments once scheduled. AGENTS, PLEASE CHECK THE AVAILABILITY OF YOUR CLIENT/S AND WHICH CITY THEY WOULD PREFER TO AUDTION IN, PRIOR TO COMPLETING YOUR ONLINE APPLICATIONS!
AUDITION APPLICATIONS CLOSE: 5PM, 23 OCTOBER 2019.
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CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
VIOLET NEWSTEAD (Female, 40 – 50) – Cover Only Description: Violet Newstead is a smart, efficient, widowed mother of a teenage son who is constantly being passed up for promotion in the boys’-club world of climbing the corporate ladder. She runs the office while her boss takes the credit. She is frustrated with her position, but not bitter. Comedic role – witty and sharp.
Playing age: 40-50 yrs old. VOCAL RANGE: Alto
JUDY BERNLY (Female, 25 - 30) – Cover Only Description: Judy Bernly is a meek housewife with her first foray into the working world when her husband runs off with his secretary. Judy changes throughout the play into a force to be reckoned with, taking control of herself and her life. Comedic role – confusion.
Playing age: Early to late 20’s VOCAL RANGE: Soprano with high belt (to D#)
DORALEE RHODES (Female, 25 - 35) – Cover Only Description: Doralee Rhodes is a sexy, country gal who is the secretary for the boss, Franklin Hart. She is misunderstood at the beginning of the play due to rumours about an affair with the boss but comes to be a strong cog in the machine that destroys Hart. She is an eternal optimist, warm and personable, with a ready smile. Country singing. Comedy is sharp and no-nonsense. American country accent is essential.
Playing age: mid 20’s- mid 30’s VOCAL RANGE: Country singing - High Belt
FRANKLIN HART JR (Male, 40 to 55) Description: Franklin Hart is a pompous jerk of a boss. If he weren’t the boss, he would have no friends at all. Spends his time trying to seduce Doralee. Smarmy. Sexist, Egotistical, Lying, Hypocritical, Bigot.
Playing age: 40’s to 50’s VOCAL RANGE: Bass / Baritone
ROZ KEITH (Female, 40 – 50) – Cover Only Description: The attentive office gossip queen and snitch. She has an unrequited love for Mr Hart and does everything she can to undermine the rest of the office to earn his affection. Although she has depth, a lonely woman who seeks solace in her work and Hart. Over the top comedic role. Must be a good mover. **Note – if your client can do the splits please indicate**
Playing age: 40’s to 50’s VOCAL RANGE: Alto
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TINSWORTHY / Ensemble (U/S “Hart”) (Male, 35 - 45) Description: Chairman of the Board of the company. An adventurer, still virile. Hart's boss who may be wiser to Hart's ways than he lets on. Doubles in the Men’s Ensemble but should have some stature and age. Good comedy actor with good movement skills. Also required to understudy the role of “Franklin Hart Jr”.
Playing age: Late 30’s to late 40’s VOCAL RANGE: Baritone
JOE / MALE ENSEMBLE (Male, 30 – 35) Description: Young leading man type. Charming, attractive accountant who is interested in Violet. Doubles in the Men’s Ensemble. Has his own song. Strong singer required with good dance skills. MAY BE REQUIRED TO UNDERSTUDY.
Playing age: 30 to 35 VOCAL RANGE: High baritone / Tenor
DWAYNE RHODES / MALE ENSEMBLE (Male, 30 - 35) Description: Doralee’s husband. He is very supportive of her Country ambitions. Doubles in the Men’s Ensemble. Strong dancer / singer. MAY BE REQUIRED TO UNDERSTUDY. *NOTE: this role will be required to attend a dance call first for Ensemble men.*
Playing age: 30 to 35 VOCAL RANGE: Tenor
DICK BERNLY / MALE ENSEMBLE (Male, 30 – 35) Description: Judy’s sleazy ex-husband. Doubles in the Men’s Ensemble. Strong dancer / singer. MAY BE REQUIRED TO UNDERSTUDY. *NOTE: this role will be required to attend a dance call first for Ensemble men.*
Playing age: 30 to 35 VOCAL RANGE: Baritone / High Baritone
MARGARET / FEMALE ENSEMBLE (Female, 30 – 35) Description: A secretary in Hart's office with a tendency to drink. Good comedy required. Strong dancer / singer. Doubles in the Women’s Ensemble. MAY BE REQUIRED TO UNDERSTUDY. *NOTE: this role will be required to attend a dance call first for Ensemble women.*
Playing age: 30 to 35 VOCAL RANGE: Mezzo-Soprano
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MALE ENSEMBLE (Male, 20 - 40)
Description: ALL ETHNICITIES. Strong jazz dancers and singers required to appear in the ensemble and undertake understudy duties.
Some will be required to play small cameo roles:
• “Josh Newstead” – Violet’s teenage son. Must look young enough to pass as a teenager. • “Bob Enright” - Franklin Hart’s Yes-Man. Trained by Violet and promoted over her • Plus Office employees, police officers, hospital employees, businessmen.
Playing age: 20 to 40 VOCAL RANGE: ALL RANGES. Strong singers.
FEMALE ENSEMBLE (Female, 20 - 40)
Description: ALL ETHNICITIES. Strong jazz dancers and singers required to appear in the ensemble and undertake understudy duties.
Some will be required to play small cameo roles:
• “Kathy” - Office Gossip. • “Missy Hart” - Franklin Hart's wife, clueless to her husband's true nature. Fluttery and Ditzy. • “Maria” - A young and vibrant secretary in Hart's office.
Playing age: 20 to 40 VOCAL RANGE: ALL RANGES. Strong singers.
MALE SWING (Male, 20 - 35) Description: Strong jazz dancers and singers required to appear in the ensemble and undertake swing duties.
Playing age: 20’s to 30’s VOCAL RANGE: ALL RANGES. Strong singers.
FEMALE SWING (Male, 20 - 35) Description: Strong jazz dancers and singers required to appear in the ensemble and undertake swing duties.
Playing age: 20’s to 30’s VOCAL RANGE: ALL RANGES. Strong singers.
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