Jerry's Girls (VAC) – theatre review

Jerry Herman represents all that is great about Broadway musical theatre. The American composer and lyricist has been responsible for the scores for hit musicals such as Hello Dolly!, Mame and La Cage aux Folles. The winner of Tony Awards for two of those, he has also been honoured with a Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre.

At the start of the ‘80s, young Broadway producer Larry Alford collaborated with Herman to concoct a retrospective tribute show to celebrate Herman’s illustrious career. It was a musical revue, a homage to all the women that had ever been front and centre in Herman’s productions. With Alford directing, Jerry’s Girls opened in a supper club in the heart of the Times Square theatre district in August 1981. After La Cage premiered triumphantly two years later, the show was expanded and a full-scale, all-star version was mounted. Australia first experienced the magic in 1987, where it last played professionally in 1992. Now, nearly a quarter of a century later, director Dean Bryant has put his own twist on Jerry’s Girls, giving it a strong back-story with contemporary and local references.

It is a showcase of arguably the finest collective of female talent this country has yet seen on stage. It represents a who’s who of those that are greater and even greater. Eleven women in all are given solo performances, duets and ensemble pieces under comic direction while rehearsing for Jerry’s Girls leading up to opening night.

That is Bryant’s hilarious take on the musical, the shenanigans, meltdowns and fits of pique as these ladies ready themselves for the musical’s debut. So, if you like, this is a musical within a musical (a peek through the looking glass behind the scenes of The Production Company preparing to stage Jerry’s Girls). And, I am here to tell you that the opening night audience lapped it up, whooping and hollering and repeatedly clapping their hands long and hard in appreciation.

The list of performers starts with the incomparable Nancye Hayes, the statuesque and self-parodied Rhonda Burchmore and the unadulterated splendour of Silvie Paladino. Truly, I run out of superlatives to afford to Christie Whelan Browne, Debora Krizak, Virginia Gay and Chelsea Gibb. And that is not to overlook the memorable contributions of Claire Lyon, Kirby Burgess, Josie Lane and Natalie O’Donnell. The man with the toughest job, keeping all these egos in check (just kidding) is Brent Hill, who plays director. Aiding the cause is pianist Matthew Frank and stage manager Meg Deyell.

Among the umpteen highlights is the outrageous and thoroughly engaging performance of Debora Krizak as an ageing stripper in Take it All Off. Virginia Gay goes toe to toe with Rhonda Burchmore claws drawn in Bosom Buddies from Mame and shows her remarkable vocal versatility assuming many accents in quick succession in Gooch’s Song from the same musical. Silvie Paladino brings grace, solemnity and depth to Shalom/Milk and Honey.

I loved the treatment of the title track from Hello Dolly!, in which one after another singer gives it a modern make-over that straddles everything from country and western and hip hop to Bjork and pop. Fortunately, Nancye Hayes provides the classic treatment in deserves, so all will be truly satisfied. Brent Hill, in one of his humorous interludes, is tearing his hair out waiting for the show’s choreographer to arrive and has to pinch hit in the first act. When the choreographer (in the guise of Christie Whelan Browne) does finally make an appearance in the second act, we – the audience – are undoubtedly the beneficiaries because it is a comic turn par excellence. She ensures all performers are put through their paces in a dead pan “take no prisoners” showing.

Thirty-two numbers in two and three quarter hours including interval – Jerry’s Girls is a night that will long remain with me for it is musical theatre with gusto, panache and pizzazz. Hats off to Bryant, to choreographer Andrew Hallsworth, Musical Director Matthew Frank and to the glorious cast. Long may they reign supreme.

The Production Company’s take on Jerry’s Girls is on at the Playhouse at the Victorian Arts Centre until 6th December.

Alex First