Well, Hello There,
I'm bringing my favorite movie, 9 to 5, to Broadway as a big new musical. All these years later, those three women who stand up against Mr. Hart - that sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot - still inspire me and make me laugh.
Now I hear you humming my theme song, and I bet you'll tap your toes to a batch of new ones that I've written for the show. And I hope you enjoy it as much as I loved writing it.
Now, you won't be seeing me on stage, but you'll hear my heart and soul in every song.
We're planning to open first in Los Angeles next Fall, and then on to Broadway after that. And since I don't want you missing any of the news on what's happening, sign on up for my 9 to 5 Memos.
I'll see you on Broadway!
Love,
When the girls reach the boiling point, their fantasies about how they would settle the score with him unwittingly turn into reality! With Hart tied up–literally–they seize the opportunity to transform the oppressive office into an invigorating workplace that makes every employee punch in with a smile. Turning the corporate establishment upside down has never been more fun, or more musical!
Tony Award®–nominee and Emmy Award®–winning Allison Janney, Meg Hilty (in the role that made Dolly Parton a movie star), and Stephanie J. Block play the women armed with a dream and scheme. Tony–Award® nominee Marc Kudisch plays their nemesis of a boss. With a book by Patricia Resnick (based on her original screenplay), direction by the Tony Award–winning director of “WICKED”, and a sparkling batch of new songs by Dolly Parton herself, “9 to 5” clocks in as Broadway’s sassiest new show. What a way to make a livin’!
DOLLY PARTON (Composer and Lyricist)
Ms. Parton is not only the reigning queen of country music but an iconic songwriter, musician, actress and entrepreneur as well. She joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1969 and went on to win CMA Female Vocalist of the Year twice, plus Entertainer of the Year. Her first film, “9 to 5”, brought her an Academy Award nomination as well as perhaps the most successful hit song of her career. She went on to star in “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,” “Rhinestone,” “Steel Magnolias” and “Straight Talk.” She has sold more than 100 million records worldwide and won countless awards including eight CMA and seven Grammy Awards. She has taken more than 20 songs to No. 1 including the mega hit “I Will Always Love You.” In 1999, she was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and was awarded the Kennedy Center Honor in 2006. She was also nominated for an Academy Award that year for her song “Travelin’ Thru” written for the movie “Transamerica.” Dollywood - her very own theme park - continues to flourish in Tennessee.
PATRICIA RESNICK (Book)
Ms. Resnick has enjoyed a successful and varied career in film, television and theatre. She wrote the original screenplay for the film “9 to 5”. Under her mentor Robert Altman, she co-authored “A Wedding” (British Academy Award and Writer’s Guild nominations) and “Quintet” starring Paul Newman. Other films include “Maxie” and “Straight Talk.” She wrote (Cable Ace Award) and directed (Ace nomination) a short film, “Grandpa’s Funeral.” She is currently executive producer and head writer of a 26-episode series based on Caldecott Honor’s children’s book “Olivia” for the Nick Jr. network, to air in 2009. Her theatre work includes sketches for Lily Tomlin’s first one-woman Broadway show “Appearing Nightly,” and a stage musical adaptation of her own PBS movie “Ladies in Waiting” which originated at the Woodstock (Illinois) Summer Playhouse and later moved to the Lyric Opera House in Chicago.
ALLISON JANNEY (Violet Newstead)
Allison Janney’s Broadway performances as Beatrice in Arthur Miller’s “A View from the Bridge” opposite Anthony LaPaglia brought her a Tony nomination and both the Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk Awards for Best Supporting Actress. She also starred in the production of “Taming of the Shrew” (New York Public Theater’s Shakespeare in the Park) and Lillian Hellman’s “The Autumn Garden” (Williamstown Theatre Festival). On film, Ms. Janney appeared in the screen version of the Broadway musical “Hairspray” and in “Juno”. She starred opposite Meryl Streep in “The Hours” and in “American Beauty” (for which she won a SAG Award for Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture). Other films include “Nurse Betty,” “How to Deal,” “Drop Dead Gorgeous” “10 Things I Hate About You,” “Primary Colors,” “The Ice Storm,” “Celebrity,” “Six Days Seven Nights,” “The Object of My Affection,” “Big Night,” and the voice of Gladys in the animated comedy “Over the Hedge” and as Peach in “Finding Nemo.” Television includes CJ Cregg in the award-winning NBC series “The West Wing,” winning four SAG Awards, four Emmys, and nominated for four Golden Globes.
STEPHANIE J. BLOCK (Judy Bernly)
Broadway credits include Elphaba in “Wicked” (also originating the role of Elphaba in the national touring company - 2006 Helen Hayes Award, Outstanding Lead Actress). Other Broadway credits include Grace O’Malley in “The Pirate Queen,” Liza Minnelli in “The Boy From Oz.” Regional credits include “Funny Girl” (Robby Award, Best Actress), “Crazy for You” (Ovation Award nominee), “Oliver!” (Critics Award, Best Actress), and James Joyce’s “The Dead” (CTG/Ahmanson Theatre and Kennedy Center). Her voice can be heard on numerous CDs and commercial jingles.
MEGAN HILTY (Doralee Rhodes)
made her Broadway debut as Glinda in “Wicked” and starred in the role in the Los Angeles production. She is a recent graduate of the Carnegie Mellon School of Drama. Credits include “Café” (City Theatre), “Suds” (OCT) and “The Wild Party” (CMU). Megan is a recipient of the National Society of Arts and Letters Award for Excellence in Musical Theater.
MARC KUDISCH (Franklin Hart Jr.)
Broadway credits include Lincoln Center Theater’s “The Glorious Ones,” “The Apple Tree,” “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” (Tony and Outer Critics nominations), “Assassins” (Drama Desk nomination), “Thoroughly Modern Millie” (Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle nominations), “Bells Are Ringing,” “The Wild Party,” “The Scarlet Pimpernel,” “High Society,” “Beauty and the Beast” and “Joseph's Dreamcoat.” Off-Broadway credits include “See What I Wanna See” (Drama Desk nomination), “No Strings” and “The Thing About Men.” Recent regional appearances include “The Witches of Eastwick,” “The Highest Yellow” (Helen Hayes nomination, Signature Theatre, D.C.); “Zorba” (Ovation, L.A. Drama Critics Circle nominations, Garland Award, Reprise!); “Summer and Smoke” (Hartford Stage). TV appearances include “Break In” (Lifetime), “Bye Bye Birdie” (ABC TV), and “Sex and the City.”
JOE MANTELLO (Director)
A two-time Tony Award-winner, Mr. Mantello is currently represented on Broadway (and around the world) with “Wicked,” a show that will likely become the most successful musical in history. He’s won Tony Awards for directing Richard Greenberg’s “Take Me Out,” and the revival of Stephen Sondheim’s “Assassins.” Other shows include David Mamet’s “November,” the recent revival of Terrence McNally’s “The Ritz,” “Three Days of Rain” (Julia Roberts), “The Odd Couple,” “Glengarry Glen Ross,” “Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune,” “Laugh Whore” (also filmed for Showtime), “A Man of No Importance,” “Design for Living,” Terrence McNally and Jake Heggie’s “Dead Man Walking” for San Francisco Opera, “The Vagina Monologues,” “bash,” “Another American: Asking and Telling,” “Love! Valour! Compassion!” (stage and film), “Proposals,” “The Mineola Twins,” “Corpus Christi,” “Mizlansky/Zilinsky or Schmucks,” As an actor, Mr. Mantello on Broadway (and at CTG/Mark Taper Forum) in Tony Kushner’s “Angels in America” (Tony nomination) and “The Baltimore Waltz.”
ANDY BLANKENBUEHLER (Choreographer)
Mr. Blankenbuehler choreographed the highly acclaimed new musical “In The Heights”(Lortel Award, Outer Critics Award and Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Choreography), and the Broadway revival of “The Apple Tree.” He recently made his West End debut choreographing the new musical “Desperately Seeking Susan.” Other recent projects include the new Broadway-bound musical “Waiting For The Moon” (music by Frank Wildhorn); the world premiere of the musical “A Little Princess” (music by Andrew Lippa); the Paper Mill Playhouse production of “A Wonderful Life”; as well as the off-Broadway play “Burleigh Grimes” (music by David Yazbek) and the hit Caesars Palace production “Nights On Broadway.” As a performer, he has danced on Broadway in “Fosse,” “Contact,” “Man of La Mancha,” “Saturday Night Fever,” “Steel Pier,” “Big” and “Guys and Dolls.”
Dolly Parton Talks About Writing Songs For The Upcoming Broadway Show, '9 to 5: The Musical'
Country music icon Dolly Parton has worked plenty of overtime this year, writing the music and lyrics for 9 to 5: The Musical Read More
Pouring Itself a Cup of Ambition
Perez Hilton can't get enough of 9 to 5 the Musical. See his blog about his recent trip to LA. Read More
"9 to 5" is Broadway Bound
The 1980 feminist musical film Nine to Five, which starred Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda and Dolly Parton, has been newly adapted for the stage, and will be hitting the Great White Way in April 2009 as 9 to 5: The Musical. Read More
"9 to 5" Punches Out of L.A. Oct. 19; Broadway Start Is April 7, 2009
"9 to 5," the new workplace musical comedy based on the hit 1980 film, ends its creative probation period; also known as an out-of-town tryout on Oct. 19 at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles. Read More
9 To 5 Musical, Mary J. Blige And Robin Thicke This Weekend In Los Angeles
Anthony Jones - Celebrity News Service Contributor Los Angeles, CA (CNS) -- The new musical comedy, "9 to 5," gives its final preview performances at the Ahmanson Theatre through October 19th. Read More
'9 to 5' Will Now Begin Broadway Previews April 7, 2009; Tix on Sale Oct. 29
Preview and opening dates have been slightly altered for the eagerly awaited 9 to 5: The Musical, which boasts a score by the Grammy Award-winning star of the concert stage and screen, Dolly Parton. Read More
'9 to 5: The Musical'
This rollicking musical will move to Broadway in the spring, and it is easy to see why. Dolly Parton has leveraged her role in the original film and more importantly her prodigious songwriting talent to craft a sassy and occasionally bawdy production. Read More
'9 to 5' Issues Now Round-the-Clock
If audience reaction to "9 to 5: The Musical," based on the hit 1980 movie of the same name, is any indication, sexism still is alive and as frustrating as ever in today's workplace. Only now, some men probably also are the object of their female boss's unwanted attention. Read More
9 to 5: The Musical
Who would have thought a 28-year-old film comedy with a women's-lib theme could be parlayed into a surprisingly fresh musical frolic that has Broadway blockbuster written all over it? Read More
'9 to 5' at Ahmanson Theatre
'9 to 5', now filling the Ahmanson with a production as spirited as the trio of unlikely neo-feminist survivors whose madder-than-hell-and-not-gonna-take-it-anymore attitude it celebrates. Read More
BWW TV: Upright's West Side Stories: '9 To 5' in LA!
The premiere webisode takes place at the 9 to 5 press conference with the Queen of Country herself, Dolly Parton. Watch Video
Looking for Power, Success and Love
What woman doesn’t love a good revenge-on-the-boss fantasy – especially one who is, by his own admission a “sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot.” Read More
'9 to 5's' Megan Hilty is workin' it
Opening night of the musical stage version of the 1980 film 9 to 5, actress Megan Hilty, who is playing “Doralee Rhodes,” likely engaged in what has become a Broadway ritual for her. Read More
Allison Janney Tries Singing in Stage Show '9 to 5'
Until the "9 to 5" audiences chime in — both at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles now and in New York in 2009 — Allison Janney will remain dubious about her decision to try musical theater. Read More
Dolly Parton Leads '9 to 5' Singalong
Broadway-bound "9 to 5: The Musical" morphed into a Dolly Parton sing-along opening night at the Ahmanson Theater as show's composer-lyricist led the aud in the title song while technicians fixed the glitch that stopped the tuner in its tracks a few songs into act one. Read More
'9 to 5 The Musical' Theater Review - What a Way to Make A Musical!
I thoroughly enjoyed this show. Let’s just get that formality out of the way. Read More
Janney, Talented Cast Shine in Dolly Parton's New '9 to 5'
They are women — hear them roar with attitude and sing with exuberance and finesse. Read More
Dolly Parton Loves Her '9 to 5' Gig
Dolly Parton is at her most delightful when she's laughing at her own jokes: "People always ask me if I'm offended by all the dumb blond jokes. I say no, because I know I'm not dumb, and I know I'm not blond!" Read More
'9 To 5: The Musical' Premiere, Los Angeles
Country star Dolly Parton, who wrote the 17 songs for “9 to 5: The Musical,” is joined by Lance Bass, Doris Roberts and Blythe Danner on the red carpet for the “9 to 5” musical premiere in Los Angeles. Watch Video
Dolly Does Good
It's a smash success!!! The reviews are in and…..
Dolly Parton's new 9 to 5 musical is loved by the critics! Read More
'9 to 5' Clocks in for Big West Coast Debut
Watch out, L.A.! Girl power is flowing fast now that starry musical 9 to 5 has made its West Coast debut at the Center Theatre Group/ Ahmanson Theatre. Read More
'9 to 5' cast reunites while Dolly saves the day again
Opening night for “9 to 5: The Musical” at the Ahmanson Theatre was a return to 1979 or thereabouts — and not just onstage. Read More
'9 to 5' a Wild and Witty Stage Musical
"9 to 5: The Musical" is the Dolly Partonized musical based on the popular 1980 film starring Parton, Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda and Dabney Coleman as the boss. If you liked the film, you're going to love the musical. Read More
Dolly Parton Saves the Night: '9 to 5' Musical Premiere Snafu
Dolly Parton stepped up and entertained a star-studded crowd at the Los Angeles premiere of "9 to 5", a musical based on the eponymous hit movie that starred the country star. Read More
'9 To 5 The Musical' Opens In LA
KNBC's Cary Berglund reports on a new musical based off an '80s movie Watch Video
PHOTO CALL: '9 to 5: The Musical' Plays in L.A.
Dolly Parton's Broadway-bound 9 to 5: The Musical currently plays Los Angeles' Ahmanson Theatre. Here is a first look at the production... Read More
Dolly and '9 to 5' Cast's Fave Bosses From Hell
Long before Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada, there was Franklin J. Hart Jr. in 9 to 5. Read More
Dolly Parton Kicks Off '9 To 5: The Musical'
Dolly Parton talks with Access about the LA production of “9 to 5: The Musical!” Watch Video
Working It! Dolly Parton Makes '9 To 5' A Musical
Dolly Parton's new musical "9 to 5" officially opens Saturday at the Ahmanson Theatre in Downtown Los Angeles. I had the good fortune of attending the press junket and got to hobnob with Dolly and the cast. Read More
Dolly Parton Loves Her '9 to 5' Gig
With her theatrical flair and big songs, it's a wonder the Backwoods Barbie hasn't promenaded down the Great White Way. For Dolly Parton, the wait's almost over. Read More
Dolly Parton's Still Workin' '9 to 5'
Hello, Dolly! Sit down, pour yourself a cup of ambition, and get ready for the opening night of the highly anticipated musical stage adaptation of the film '9 to 5'! ET has the divine Dolly Parton gushing over her musical adaptation of her ballbustin' '70s movie. Read More
Dolly Parton takes '9-5' to broadway
The star's first stage musical has had its world premiere in Los Angeles before heading to Broadway. Almost 30 years after starring in the hit movie '9 to 5' and writing its theme song, Dolly penned 17 new songs for 9 to 5: The Musical, and despite a chart topping career this is her first time at writing lyrics and music for a full stage musical.
Watch Video
Reviews Rolling in For New '9 to 5: The Musical'
Blog reviews are starting to roll in for the new 9 to 5: The Musical, based on Dolly Parton's hit 1980 hit movie (and running through Oct. 19 in Los Angeles, with a Broadway run scheduled to kick off March 24). Read More
First '9 to 5' Crowd Gets a Surprise
After two postponements due to "technical demands," the curtain finally rose Tuesday night on previews for "9 to 5: The Musical," where audience members received an unexpected treat -- a mini-concert by Dolly Parton. Read More
Parton and a Fresh Tune
HELLO, DOLLY! Country music hasn't fared very well on Broadway, but if anybody can break the hick ceiling, it's going to be Dolly Parton. Read More
Working It Out!
Dolly Parton, Allison Janney, Megan Hilty, and Stephanie J. Block provide a first look at the Los Angeles premiere of the Broadway-bound musical 9 to 5 Watch Video
Dolly Parton is the Life of '9 to 5' Party
After Robert Greenblatt got the idea to turn the 1980 film "9 to 5" into a musical, one thing loomed heavily over him: The Dolly factor. Read More
First Preview of 9 to 5: The Musical Delayed
The first preview of the eagerly awaited new musical 9 to 5 - boasting a score by Grammy Award winner Dolly Parton - has been delayed three days. Read more
Dolly tells newspaper her new musical close to being ready
Dolly Parton will head west to start rehearsals on "9 to 5 the Musical." Read more
Scaling the "Heights"
"9 to 5" choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler —winner of a 2008 Tony Award for his work on "In the Heights" — shares some career tips.
Read more
"9 to 5" Podcast from Playbill Radio
Playbill Radio goes inside the rehearsal hall to talk with Dolly Parton, Allison Janney and other creators and stars of the forthcoming new Broadway musical "9 to 5." Download podcast
Dolly Parton express still covers the country
With the candy-floss hair and knock- 'em-out curves, Dolly Parton has made a living off her bawdy, larger-than-life image. But the 62-year-old musician is also an unequaled singer-songwriter with a Southern drawl-soaked soprano and a flair for the down-home turn of phrase. Read more
Parton "Dolly-izes" Tunes For "9 To 5" Musical
Though she's still actively promoting her latest album, "Backwoods Barbie," Dolly Parton is gearing up for the September debut of the musical based on her hit 1980 film "9 to 5." Read more
"9 to 5" Gets the Musical Treatment
Songwriter Dolly Parton, librettist Patricia Resnick and stars Stephanie J. Block, Megan Hilty, Allison Janney and Marc Kudisch attend a press rehearsal for the Broadway-bound musical "9 to 5," based on the hit 1980s movie of the same name. Watch video
Broadway Says Hello to Dolly
Dolly Parton and the cast of the "9 to 5: The Musical" spoke to the press at a New York City rehearsal hall and performed a number from the show. Watch video
Dolly Parton Readies "9 to 5" for Broadway
Dolly Parton has been "workin' 9 to 5" on a musical for Broadway. Access catches up with Dolly at rehearsals as the cast warms up their vocal chords on the title song. Watch video
Dolly Parton brings "9 to 5" musical to life on Broadway
It all started when Dolly Parton began to strum her acrylic nails together 28 years ago on the set of the movie "9 to 5." The sound reminded her of the typewriter her character was chained to, and the rest is music and movie history. Read more
Dolly Parton's "9 to 5" Gets Ready for Broadway
The cast and creative talents of new musical "9 to 5," a star-studded stage adaptation of the hit 1980 flick starring Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, were up bright and early July 15 to officially greet Broadway. View photos
Hello, Dolly! "9 to 5" Books Broadway's Marquis: Full Casting Announced
The Marquis Theatre will be the Broadway home of the feisty office workers who are "just a step on the bossman's ladder" in the Dolly Parton-Patricia Resnick musical comedy "9 to 5," producer Robert Greenblatt announced July 15. Read more
Dolly Parton works "9 to 5"
One of the most enduring workplace comedies -- the 1980 film "9 to 5" -- will come to life as a musical play. Read more
THE OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
NEW MUSICAL "9 TO 5"
TO HAVE WORLD PREMIERE AT CTG/AHMANSON IN 2008
DOLLY PARTON - 7-TIME GRAMMY WINNER - CREATES MUSIC AND LYRICS
STARRING
ALLISON JANNEY, STEPHANIE J. BLOCK, MEGAN HILTY & MARC KUDISCH
BOOK BY ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY WRITER PATRICIA RESNICK
CHOREOGRAPHY BY ANDY BLANKENBUEHLER
TWO-TIME TONY AWARD WINNER JOE MANTELLO TO DIRECT
The much-loved comedy movie "9 to 5" has been transformed into a new musical that will have its world premiere at Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre in 2008, it was announced today by Michael Ritchie, CTG Artistic Director.
Seven-time Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and musician Dolly Parton has written the music and lyrics for the new musical. Center Theatre Group will present "9 to 5" in Los Angeles, September 3 through October 19, 2008, as the first production in the Ahmanson's 2008-2009 season. Opening is set for September 21. The book for "9 to 5" is by Patricia Resnick, who is the movie's co-author. Choreography is by Andy Blankenbuehler. Two-time Tony Award-winner Joe Mantello will direct. Multiple Emmy Award-winner and Tony Award-nominee Allison Janney will star as Violet Newstead, the super efficient office manager who joins her fellow co-workers - the frazzled divorcee Judy Bernly, to be played by Stephanie J. Block, and the sexy executive secretary Doralee Rhodes, played by Megan Hilty, to turn the tables on their boss, the "sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical, bigot" Franklin Hart Jr., played by two- time Tony Award nominee Marc Kudisch.
In a series of farcical events, the women inadvertently remove Hart from the workplace and keep him otherwise engaged. Taking advantage of his absence, they begin instituting a host of new and welcomed office procedures such as flexible hours and day care, but their schemes quickly spin wildly and hilariously out of control.
"9 to 5" features scenic design by two-time Tony Award-winner Scott Pask, lighting design by eight-time Tony Award-winners Jules Fisher and Peggy Eisenhauer, with a costume designer to be announced shortly. "'9 to 5' was my first movie and it was an amazing experience bringing Doralee Rhodes to life," said Dolly Parton. "All these years later the story of these three inspiring ladies who stand up against their sadistic boss is still close to my heart. It's been a lifelong dream of mine to write a musical and now I have the chance to not only make Doralee sing, but to bring all of Patricia's wonderful characters to life on stage through music. I think I'm gonna like it around here."
Parton's popular single "9 to 5" from the 1980 20th Century Fox motion picture won an Academy Award nomination. Her new album, "Backwoods Barbie," will be released in February 2008. The title track is a song written for the character of Doralee from Parton's new score for "9 to 5." "9 to 5" is presented by Center Theatre Group by special arrangement with Robert Greenblatt under the auspices of a new program initiated by Michael Ritchie, in which CTG presents original new musicals and large-scale productions through partnerships with Broadway producers. The program recently saw the Broadway transfers of the critically acclaimed presentations of both "The Drowsy Chaperone" and "Curtains."
Got a friend you know would just love to see “9 to 5”? Well, go ahead and send a Doll-Ecard to spread the word. Your friend will get to read my letter about the show and learn how they can enter to win tickets to opening night!
