[CityUHK Student ArtFest 2025] CityUHK Musical celebrates 10th anniversary with an electrifying performance of the Broadway classic “9 to 5”
CityUHK Student ArtFest returned to campus with a flourish, bringing an exciting line-up of performances that highlighted the creative talent of the student community. This year, the highly anticipated CityUHK Musical celebrated its 10th anniversary with an electrifying performance of the Broadway classic “9 to 5” to full houses of supportive CityUHK community members.
This year’s Musical featured 28 cast members and 10 students working behind the scenes in stage management, costume, lighting and audio operation. Together, they delivered a professional and unforgettable performance. For the first time, the CityUHK Musical took on the challenge of presenting four shows over three days, allowing more members of the CityUHK community to join in the fun.
President Boey attends the performance to show support and cheer on the students.Professor Freddy Boey, President and University Distinguished Professor of CityUHK, attended the opening performance with his wife to show their support for the students. He praised the vibrant energy and passion of both the performers and the backstage crew, highlighting their outstanding artistic talent. He remarked that although the Musical was student-led, the overall standard and professionalism of the production exceeded expectations.
Broadway musical “9 to 5” follows the story of three women, who face constant injustice in the workplace and conspire to spark change, reflecting the challenges faced by women in the American workplace during the 1970s. This classic musical unfolded on the CityUHK stage as a witty tale of resilience, featuring expressive vocals and upbeat choreography, while adding the unique flair of CityUHK Musical to the original production.
CityUHK Musical presents a stunning production of “9 to 5” this year, celebrating its 10th anniversary.
Toby Yeung Man-sik, a year 3 student from the School of Law, played one of the leading roles, Judy Bernly, skilfully portraying the character’s innocence and resilience on stage. After participating in CityUHK Musicals over the past two years, this was her first time taking on a principal role, an opportunity she described as both exciting and deeply rewarding. Despite the heavy demands of her academic workload, she remained committed to attending every rehearsal.
“Although it was indeed tough, it was absolutely worthwhile, as student actors rarely have the chance to perform on stage,” she explained. “The CityUHK Musical is professionally produced and on a grand scale, attracting a large audience who come to support us every year. So it is a precious stage experience for me to pursue my passion for musical theatre alongside my studies, striking a balance between academics and personal interests.”
Behind the scenes, third-year Psychology student Alison Wong Yan was also hard at work as a student crew member. Having participated in the CityUHK Musical Stage Management Experimental Programme, she received training from professionals on various aspects of stage management, such as stage makeup, costume and prop design, and lighting and sound production.
This year’s production allowed her to showcase her expertise by creating an immersive design that vividly brought the atmosphere of a 1970s office to life. From typewriters and rotary phones to the clutter of desks, the backstage crew seamlessly transformed the stage in a matter of seconds, transporting the audience into a colourful retro world.
“What I like about stage management is how it challenges you to think quickly on the spot,” Alison explained. “The charm of the stage lies in the fact that no matter how well you plan, there are always unexpected situations you have to handle.” She added that she’s grateful for the various creative opportunities ArtFest offers CityUHK students. “The CityUHK Musical is like a family. Whether you are onstage or backstage, everybody gives it their all. I really enjoy the team spirit,” she said.
The CityUHK Musical invites professionals from the musical theatre industry to assist with directing, vocal coaching and choreographing, and they act as production and stage management supervisors to guide the students. Under their tutelage, passionate CityUHK students are provided with top-notch training that elevates their skills and broadens their artistic vision.
The CityUHK Student ArtFest first began in 2015, comprising concerts, musicals, and various performing arts performances. Connecting passionate students with professional artists, ArtFest not only gives CityUHK performers a platform to shine and show off their full talents, but also connects the wider CityUHK community through a united love for arts and culture, bringing much joy and colour to campus life.