Play Guides

Guide to seeing 9 to 5: The Musical in Melbourne

woman shaking her finger angrily at a seated man on stage

Danny Baggs

Posted August 29, 2022

9 to 5: The Musical is gold-carat fun in Melbourne. Here’s your ultimate guide to seeing this knock-out performance playing at Arts Centre Melbourne.

Clock on at Arts Centre Melbourne this season to see the smash hit 9 to 5: The Musical, featuring 20 plus songs by revered country singer, Dolly Parton. Full of mischief, laughter and affection, this feel-good musical inspired by the hit film 9 to 5 has played to sell-out audiences in Broadway and the West End. Here’s everything you need to know to enjoy 9 to 5: The Musical in Melbourne. 
 
Thanks to a new partnership between RACV and Ticketek, RACV Members can enjoy a whole new suite of benefits, with exclusive offers to access a range of theatre experiences and events in Melbourne’s famed East End theatre district. RACV Members save 25% on A Reserve seats when booking tickets to 9 to 5: The Musical on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday evening performances from 10 August to 4 September 2022 (subject to capacity).

9 to 5: The Musical is playing at Melbourne's State Theatre this year.

Everything you need to know about Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5: The Musical

What is 9 to 5: The Musical about?

9 to 5: The Musical follows three female office workers (Violet, Judy and Doralee), who work in hellish conditions under their horrible boss Franklin Hart Jr. When they discover the full extent of their boss’s misdeeds, the three women decide they need to get rid of him, for good.

What do I need to know before I see 9 to 5: The Musical?

You can watch 9 to 5: The Musical without any prior knowledge, but make sure you pump Dolly Parton’s famous 1980 song "9 to 5", on your way to the show. This smash hit was originally written and performed as the theme song to the film 9 to 5, but subsequently released on Parton’s 23rd album 9 to 5 and Odd Jobs to massive success and two GRAMMY awards.

9 to 5 (the 1980 film) is a classic comedy starring Jane Fonda as Judy, Lily Tomlin as Violet and Dolly Parton as Doralee. It’s well worth a watch before the show, especially since the musical’s plot was taken directly from the film - although the musical added in other Dolly Parton songs to fit the storyline. You can also binge 9 to 5, the sitcom series based off the film that ran from 1982-1988. Dolly Parton’s younger sister Rachel Dennison even plays Parton’s character Doralee.

These brilliant stories were all inspired by the very real ‘9to5’ movement established in 1973, and still alive today. 9to5, also called the National Associated of Working Women, promotes fair pay and equal treatment for women in the workplace. You can find out more about this initiative from the documentary 9to5: The Story of a Movement or directly from 9to5’s website.

 

Sing along to Dolly Parton's smash hit "9 to 5".

Who performs in 9 to 5: The Musical?

9 the 5: The Musical in Melbourne features an all-star Australian cast:

  • Marina Prior as Violet Newstead

  • Casey Donovan as Judy Bernly

  • Erin Clare as Doralee Rhodes

  • Eddie Perfect as Franklin Hart Jnr.

  • Caroline O’Conner as Roz Keith

All music and lyrics in the show are by Dolly Parton.

How long is 9 to 5: The Musical?

9 to 5: The Musical has a 2.5-hour runtime, including a 20-minute interval. This is similar to Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat and Hamilton, longer than SIX The Musical and The Picture of Dorian Gray, and shorter than Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

How long is 9 to 5: The Musical showing in Melbourne?

9 to 5: The Musical is playing in Melbourne from Sunday 10 July 2022 to Saturday 17 September 2022. You can catch the show Wednesday to Sunday each week until then.

three women performing in 9 to 5: The Musical

9 to 5: The Musical stars Marina Prior, Casey Donovan and Erin Clare. Image: Arts Centre Melbourne

Where is 9 to 5: The Musical playing?

9 to 5: the Musical is playing in the State Theatre, located at Arts Centre Melbourne in Southbank. This is one of the largest theatre stages in the world – equivalent to the floor space of eight suburban homes – which is why it’s home to two resident companies: The Australian Ballet and Opera Australia. It seats over 2,000 patrons and features 75,000 tiny brass cups decorating the ceiling, plus a famous hand-painted curtain designed by Graham Bennett and donated by the former State Bank of Victoria when the State Theatre opened in 1984.

How do I buy tickets to 9 to 5: The Musical?

You can purchase tickets to Melbourne’s 9 to 5: The Musical via Ticketek and Arts Centre Melbourne.

RACV Members save 25% on A Reserve seats when booking tickets to 9 to 5: The Musical on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday evening performances from 10 August to 4 September 2022 (subject to capacity).

woman singing on stage

Strap in for 20+ Dolly Parton songs at 9 to 5: The Musical. Image: Arts Centre Melbourne

Can I bring my children to 9 to 5: The Musical?

Because 9 to 5: the Musical contains adult content, it is recommended for ages 12+ only. Children aged 15 years and under must attend with an adult guardian.

Is there a dress code to see 9 to 5: The Musical?

Arts Centre Melbourne does not have an official dress code, but shirts and shoes must be worn at all times. Most theatregoers wear smart casual clothes, although some prefer to dress up more formally for the theatre.

How do I get to Arts Centre Melbourne?

Arts Centre Melbourne is located at 100 St Kilda Road, Southbank: just across the Yarra River from the Melbourne’s Flinders St Station.

If you are catching public transport to Arts Centre Melbourne, the closest tram stop is number 14, “Arts Precinct”. Tram routes 1, 3, 3a, 5, 6, 16, 64, 67 and 72 stop here. The closest train station is Flinders Street Station, just across Princes Bridge from the theatre. If you need to hail a taxi, there is a taxi rank right in front of Arts Centre Melbourne on St Kilda Road.

 

three women singing on stage

Arts Centre Melbourne is home to 9 to 5: The Musical. Image: Supplied

Where do I park at Arts Centre Melbourne?

If you are driving, park at Arts Centre Melbourne’s undercover car park at 4 Sturt Street, Southbank. The theatre car park is open 24/7 and is housed directly underneath the Theatres Building. Make sure you have a valid debit or credit card before entering, because this flat-rate car park is cash-free.

Driving an electric vehicle? The Arts Centre Melbourne car park has two free-to-use Delta Energy Systems Australia AC EV Chargers on the upper level if you need them. These chargers use a Type 1 plug.

If this car park is full, there is some street parking, but these spaces cannot be reserved and are extremely limited. Time limits may also apply. Your best bet in this case is to find parking through an app like arevo.

 

exterior view of Hamer Hall

There are many award-winning dining and cocktail locations around Arts Centre Melbourne. Image: Supplied

What restaurants are near Arts Centre Melbourne?

Arts Centre Melbourne currently offers an exclusive pre-dining event for 9 to 5: The Musical at The Barre. The 9 to 5 Dining Experience features three decadent courses and paired drinks, each themed to the three main characters of the musical.

If you’re after something else, there’s a wide selection of quality pre- and post-theatre dining in Southbank and Melbourne CBD, right near Melbourne’s Arts Precinct. Restaurants include the innovative Japanese Saké Restaurant & Bar at Hamer Hall and the buzzing brewpub Hopscotch on Southbank’s Riverside Quay. Walk down to Southbank Promenade for seasonal Italian dishes at Rosetta Ristorante. Or you can cross Princes Bridge to the CBD and explore the wide variety of restaurants, diners and bars along Flinders Lane. Popular options include Asian-inspired cuisine at Supernormal, unpretentious Mexican at Fonda, bold Southeast Asian/Australian dishes at Chin Chin, or pub food at Melbourne’s only Hawaiian dive bar Jack & Bones.

What bars are near Arts Centre Melbourne?

You’re in luck if you’re looking for a pre- or post-show drink near Arts Centre Melbourne, with a plethora of options just a short walk or tram ride away. For a cocktail, wine or beer near the State Theatre, try Southbank Promenade where you’ll find Waterslide Bar, Ludlow Bar, Hopscotch, Left Bank, Yarra Botanica and more – complete with stunning views of the Melbourne CBD. If you have more time on your hands, journey into the city centre where you can enjoy some of Melbourne’s best cocktails and rooftop bars.

 

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