Irene Karas Loeper has starred in icon stage roles in 鈥淢amma Mia,鈥� 鈥淚n the Heights,鈥� 鈥淎nything Goes,鈥� and 鈥淭horoughly Modern Millie,鈥� as well as numerous roles in film and television.
But this week, the 50-year-old Brookswood actress will be given the chance to again show off the diversity of her stage and screen experience when she brings the character of Violet Newstead to life in the Royal City Musical Theatre鈥檚 (RCMT's) spring production of 鈥�9 to 5 The Musical.鈥�
A lover of Dolly Parton and the musical theatre genre, Loeper said she鈥檚 privileged to take on this much-coveted lead role along side Maia Beresford as Doralee, Madeleine Suddaby as Judy, and Dustin Freeland as Franklin Hart Jr.
She鈥檚 particularly happy to help bring this upbeat, fun production to the stage right now, in what she describes as darker and uncertain times, 鈥渨hen arts play such a pivotal role in fostering empathy, understanding, and uplifting the soul.鈥�
Set in 1979, 鈥�9 to 5 The Musical鈥� follows three co-workers 鈥� Violet, Doralee, and Judy 鈥� as they endure their mundane and demoralizing office jobs at Consolidated Industries, under the thumb of their sexist and egotistical boss, Franklin.
When the women are suddenly given the chance to turn their wildest revenge fantasies into reality, they hatch a plan to kidnap their nasty boss and step into their full potential 鈥� ultimately taking control of the company.
鈥�9 to 5 The Musical鈥� features the whimsical storyline and charming characters that audiences know and love from the classic 1980 film, said Valerie Easton, co-director and RCMT鈥檚 outgoing artistic director.
But this production, which made its Broadway debut in April 2009, includes what Easton calls 鈥渁n entire score of toe-tapping, show-stopping musical numbers by the legendary Dolly Parton 鈥� including 鈥�9 to 5,鈥� one of the most iconic songs of all time.鈥�
Amid all the 鈥渉ilarious hi-jinks and heartfelt camaraderie鈥� that the team bring to the stage, the audiences will be rooting for these fearless women to stick it to the man with this story of female empowerment, said Loeper, who is a returning RCMT alumni.
Admittedly, Loeper had her eye locked on the role of Violet since she heard of RCT was producing the show 鈥� maybe even before that. Some of her friends have performed the role in past, landing it on Loeper's wishlist. Plus, she鈥檚 long been a fan of Allison Janney, who won best actress in a musical for her role in the original Broadway production of the musical.
鈥淎llison Janney is one of my favourite actresses. Anything she does or has done I research for my own toolbox,鈥� she shared with the Advance Times.
鈥淚t鈥檚 such a fabulous show. The role of Violet is the role I connected to, with her story and show track.鈥�
Noting there are strong similarities between herself and her character, Loeper said preparing for this show has been more like playing than working.
One might say Loeper 鈥� also known as Cuervo 鈥� was born into the entertainment industry. She grew up in Vancouver, the daughter of Andree Karas, the artistic director emerita for more than 35 years at the United Players Theatre Company.
Consequently, Loeper started down this career path at a young age, taking on her first role as Annelle in 鈥淪teel Magnolias鈥� right after graduation, with her mother鈥檚 theatre company.
Since then, armed with training from Circle in the Square in New York, Gastown Actors Studio in Vancouver, and the Vancouver Film School, she鈥檚 immersed herself in the world of acting.
鈥淚 started working in the industry after high school in both theatre, film and TV. I did plays at my mom鈥檚 company and then started Tony and Tina鈥檚 Wedding, while working behind the scenes on commercial production,鈥� she recounted.
Her past film and television projects have included roles in the 鈥淭he Buddy Games,鈥� 鈥淚mpastor,鈥� 鈥淭wo Stans and a Dan,鈥� 鈥淪potlight on Christmas,鈥� and 鈥淢otive.鈥� She just recently completed the lead role of Deb Wideman in the independent comedy TV series 鈥淭he Dressing Room,鈥� and she is also a cast member for an independent feature film in development, 鈥淕et it Together,鈥� playing the role of Patty.
And while she鈥檚 also worked with various theatre groups in the Lower Mainland, her most recently seen theatrically work was in the world premier musical comedy 鈥淭alking Sex on Sunday,鈥� playing the role of Sissy. And now, she鈥檚 particularly excited to bring Violet to life in 9 to 5 starting this week with RCMT, encouraging fellow 91原创ites to attend.
"9 to 5 The Musical" is on stage at the Massey Theatre in New Westminster. It starts this Friday, April 25, and continues through to May 11, with a series of evening and matinee shows. For tickets and information, people can visit .
While Loeper said she loves all genres of theatre, she鈥檚 really enjoyed working with what she calls an 鈥渁mazing鈥� cast, crew, creative team, and volunteers involved in this upcoming musical.
鈥淚 say it over and over, joy to my heart this thing we call musical theatre!鈥�
