Nice work from the Hayes

Arts & Entertainment Stage

Staff Writer
September 30, 2022

Image: Grace Driscoll, Rob Mallett, Ashleigh Rubenach in Nice Work IF You Can Get It at Hayes Theatre. Image: supplied

By LINA NAFIE

After a dress rehearsal as a Neglected Musical in 2021, Nice Work If You Can Get It returns in full glory for a proper season at the Hayes, with Cameron Mitchell once again doing direction and choreography. And, if his Instagram post is anything to go by, Mitchell is pretty excited about revisiting this vintage musical farce:

“Can’t wait to get back to this fabulous show!! Directing and choreographing ‘Nice Work If You Can Get It’ as a full production […]. I am thrilled with the cast we have assembled and with Musical Direction by Damon Wade, I can’t wait.”

The story follows the adventures of playboy Jimmy Winter. Jimmy is living the good life in the middle of Prohibition until he is forced to marry Eileen Evergreen, the finest interpreter of modern dance in the world thus breaking his unfortunate habit of only marrying chorus girls. One day, Jimmy finds himself in a crazy mess when he meets Billie Bendix, a tough-as-nails bootlegger who accidentally hides 400 cases of gin in his basement. Jimmy then finds himself trapped in a mess where he has to deal with his high-strung fiancée and an assortment of bootleggers, prohibitionists, G-Men and chorus girls, as well as one very moralistic senator.

Neglected Musicals are performances that are somewhere between a table reading and a rehearsal. Actors perform with scripts in hand and a complete abandonment of perfectionism. There’s lots of improv, barely muffled giggles, mishaps and general mayhem. They are a lot of fun to watch. Many go on to full production, such as the very successful Calamity Jane with Virginia Gay.

This 2012 Broadway musical features songs by award-winning brothers, George and Ira Gershwin and a book by Joe DiPietro. The Gershwin brothers collaborated during the early 20th century to write some of the most memorable songs of all time, some of which feature in this show, including the title song, “Let’s Call The Whole Thing Off”, “Someone To Watch Over Me”, “Fascinating Rhythm”, “S’ Wonderful”, “But Not for Me”, “Lady Be Good”, “I’ve Got a Crush on You” and more.

The cast of Nice Work If You Can Get It includes Rob Mallet as Jimmy Winter, Grace Driscoll as Eileen Evergreen and Ashleigh Rubenach as Billie Bendix.

“It’s been a big year of Gershwin for me,” Ashleigh Rubenach shared. “Coming straight off An American in Paris it’s such a thrill to jump into another Gershwin musical, Gershwin is unbeatable. Timeless, classic, genius.”

Grace Driscoll declared: “I am so thrilled to be part of bringing the wonderful music of the Gershwin brothers to life. What I love most about this era of music is its timelessness; the sweeping, memorable melodies and of course the sheer lyrical wit make it obvious why Gershwin’s work comprises so much of the Great American Songbook. It feels nostalgic but at the same time fresh and I can’t wait to sing all those wonderful songs audiences already know and love. Oh, and have a barrel of fun while doing so!”