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Marina Prior to premiere Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5 The Musical in Sydney

Marina Prior will be joined by Casey Donovan and Erin Clare when Dolly Parton’s famed musical opens at the Capitol Theatre.

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If there’s one thing musical powerhouses Marina Prior,Casey Donovan and Erin Clare love about their upcoming musical, 9 to 5, it’s the fact that the three protagonists are all female – and working hard for their money.

“I can’t think of many other shows where there are three female protagonists – and we’re not there as the girlfriend or the wife, we are really there to push the story forward, which is fantastic,” Prior said.

“These three women are so central to the narrative of the whole plot and that brilliant and it celebrates that – the show also celebrates female friendship and alliance, which is really lovely – not pitting women up against each other, but actually joining them together as allies.

“I think that’s really fabulous – it’s very much about female empowerment, which I love.

“It is such a joy to be getting ready to do this show it’s very much what a lot of Australia needs right now – some laughter and great music.”

Casey Donovan, Marina Prior and Erin Clare star in the upcoming musical 9 to 5. Picture: Justin Lloyd
Casey Donovan, Marina Prior and Erin Clare star in the upcoming musical 9 to 5. Picture: Justin Lloyd
Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton and Jane Fonda in the original movie.
Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton and Jane Fonda in the original movie.

The Tony nominated Dolly Parton show 9 to 5 opens at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre in February, after being delayed due to Covid. Prior, Casey and Clare met for the first time this week ahead of next year’s show – something they all agree is exactly what music lovers need to kickstart 2022 on the right note, forgetting the pain of the pandemic.

“I’ll be great to be back and just duck down the road to see my parents, which has been hard to do in the last two years,” said Donovan, who will relocate from Melbourne for 9 to 5 – but born and bred in Sydney, her family and friends are thrilled she’s coming home, even temporarily.

“It’ll be lovely to get back to Sydney – it’s such a magical city.

“It’s so exciting to do this show – it’s been great hanging out with the ladies today and building that rapport.

“It was a movie of the times when it was brought out, and it’s interesting how the world kind of does a full 360 to tell the same story … and it’s lighthearted, it’s funny, it’s abrupt, it’s sassy – it’s all of the things.

“Now is the time to get back up on stage, and I can’t wait … we get to transport people in the audience for two and a half hours and just take them out of their heads for a little bit – and that’s what I love about my job – it’s a little bit of fantasy.”

Erin Clare is excited to be on stage with her idols. Picture: Justin Lloyd
Erin Clare is excited to be on stage with her idols. Picture: Justin Lloyd

Erin Clare is just as excited to get back on stage – and being surrounded by her idols makes it all the sweeter.

“I am the least famous person in this cast and I’m thrilled about it,” the 30-year-old Sydney singer laughed.

“It’s just incredible company to be in – I can’t believe that some of my idols are now my colleagues – it’s just so wild.

“I love that this is a female led and driven story – it’s not about us finding love or finding a man – it’s supporting one another and being successful in our own right – and then obviously underscored by Dolly Parton’s incredible and uplifting music makes it such a special experience.

“I feel like after the MeToo movement, we’ve gotten the ball rolling now, and this show feels a lot more relevant – it feels like the issues are still there in 2021 – we’re still fighting for equality, and it feels like it’s a really telling time to tell this story.”

9 to 5 will come to The Capitol Theatre from February 16. Tickets, from $69, now available at 9to5themusical.com.au

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/arts/marina-prior-to-premiere-dolly-partons-9-to-5-the-musical-in-sydney/news-story/93c32af8561cbf5d6a188fe7eafb546c