Enthusiastic response to Tullamore teens musical tribute to Dolly Parton

CROWDS clocked into St Mary's Youth and Community Centre in Tullamore recently to enjoy the opening night of the centre's teenage musical "Working 9 to 5".

Penned by the late great Dolly Parton, who only passed away last month, the musical received a rapturous response by the sell-out audience such was the intensity of the acting and singing by the very enthusiastic young cast.

Perhaps the most surreal aspect of the evening was the large screen with Dolly Parton in the background, singing the title track and introducing members of the cast at the end of the show.

"Working 9 to 5" is set in the late 1970s and follows the plight of three very different secretaries as they are pushed to breaking point by their sexist and egotistical boss.

Featuring music and lyrics by Dolly Parton the show proved to be a humorous and empowering story about equality, teamwork and standing up for what is right.

The young cast put in a tremendously professional performance with the leads, in particular, dominatuing the stage.

Conor Moore was excellent in his portrayal of the show's "baddie", Franklin Hart Jr, and perfectly captured his corrupt and sexist character.

Ella Condron, Angie Sewell and Naoise McCormack played the persona of their three very different characters expertly.

Ella was superb as the newly divorved woman and catpured her nervousness enterting the workforce for the first time. She also had to contend with her ex, played by Josh Kelly, a completely self centred characater.

Naoise McCormack sympathetically portrayed the kind-hearted secretary who was unfairly judged while the audience had much syapthy for hard-working Angie Sewell who has been repeatedly overlooked for promotion despite her competence.

A sub-plot invovled Angie's dealings with the affections of accountant Joe, played by Evan Curling, who captured his character's friendliness and innocence.

Another hard-working office grl was played by Ava White who was also devoted to her role.

Olivia Hoey also excelled as the office gossip who seemed to have a thing for the slimy Franklin.

The set was constructed to a very high standard while the costumes were amazing in their variety.

The storyline was also very entertaining as the three girls found their mojos and taught their boss a valuable lesson.

A series of comic events led them to take control of the office and they introduced positive changes which led to a rise in productivity and profits.

The musical numbers in the show also proved very enjoyable from the very familiar "9 to 5" to "Get out and stay out", "Shine like the sun", "Backwoods Barbie", "One of the boys", "Always a woman" and "Let love grow".

The production team of Michelle Murphy White and Roxanne Lawlor are also to be commended on a thoroughly enjoyable show which really desrved a longer run.

CAST

Leads; Judy Fernly – Ella Condron; Viulet Newwstead – Angie Sewell; Doralee Rhodes – Naoise McCormack; Franklin Hart Jr – Conor Moore; Roz Keith – Olivia Hoey.

Supporting: Joe – Evan Curling; Dwayne – Ciaran Hannigan; Josh Newstead – David Og Bracken; Missy Hart – Grace Cleary; Maria Delgado – Ella Lloyd; Kathy – Avrit Rose Machado; Dick Bernly – John Kelly; Margaret Pomerance – Ava White; Bob Enright – Eoghan Manning; Tinsworrthy – Dara Martin; Detective – James Maher; Doctor – Mikey McDonagh; Candy Striper – Shauna Scully/ Jasmine Matsushita; New employee – Jasmine Matsushita/ Annie McCann O'Brien; Policeman – Rory Byrne; Photocopier McXerox – Iarla Lawlor.

Ensemble (Consolidated Industries staff): Aisha Hamnache, Alanna Loughnane, Alyannah Martinez, Alyssa Bennies, Anna Young, Annie McCann O'Brien, Aoibheann Slattery, Ava White, Avrit Rose Machado, Bobby Cully, Caoimhe Moore, Ciara Ralph, Ciaran Hannigan, Dervla Brady, Diana Sikora, Doireann Dooley, Ella Lloyd, Emel Pehlivan, Emma Bracken, Eoghan Manning, Evan Curling, Faith Burke Tracey, Freya Rowney, Gavin Bracken, Grace Cleary, Grace Lloyd, Hannah Prendergast, Holly Larkin, Isobel Hayes, James Maher, Jasmine Matsushita, Josh Kelly, Juno Carroll, Kate Lawlor, Kate O'Toole, Kayla Rowney, Keela Lenshan, Kelly Shirley, Liva-Terina Bermingham, Lucy Hannon, Lucy Mae Owens, Lucy O'Brien, Maeve McGrath, Migle Vasillauskarita, Mikey McDonagh, Neil Lowbridge, Noah Kelly Guinan, Paige Kelly, Rachel Carroll, Rhea Schreiber, Rory Byrne, Ruby Charles, Sarah Harney, Sasha Stapleton and Summer Buckley.