Two-time Tony Award winner Joe Mantello (Wicked, Take Me Out, Assassins) directs the musical comedy about three women office workers in the 1980s who are "just a step on the boss man's ladder" (as the title opening song goes), so they seek revenge. Patricia Resnick, who created the story and screenplay for the hit Hollywood film on which the show is based, wrote the musical's libretto. Parton starred as Doralee in the film, and was Academy Award-nominated for the title song.
Multiple Emmy Award winner and Tony Award nominee Allison Janney stars as Violet Newstead, the super-efficient office manager who joins her co-workers — the frazzled divorcee Judy Bernly, 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.
The opening of the world premiere tryout follows several delays of the first preview date, owing to technical demands of the new show.
Michael Ritchie, Center Theatre Group artistic director, said in a recent statement, "9 to 5: The Musical is one of the biggest shows ever produced at the Ahmanson, and big shows, with this quality of cast and creative team deserve the utmost support in their development. To do any less would be a disservice to all."
* 9 to 5: The Musical has music and lyrics by seven-time Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and musician Parton and choreography by Tony Award winner Andy Blankenbuehler (In the Heights).
Parton's original score for 9 to 5: The Musical includes over 20 new songs as well as the Grammy Award-winning, Academy Award-nominated No. 1 Billboard title song. "Backwoods Barbie," heard on Parton's new album of the same name, is also part of the show's score, Parton previously said.
The 30-member cast also features Andy Karl, Kathy Fitzgerald, Ioana Alfonso, Timothy Anderson, Jennifer Balagna, Justin Bohon, Paul Castree, Daniel Cooney, Jeremy Davis, Gaelen Gilliland, Autumn Guzzardi, Ann Harada, Lisa Howard, Van Hughes, Kevin Kern, Brendan King, Michael X. Martin, Michael Mindlin, Karen Murphy, Mark Myars, Jessica Lea Patty, Charlie Pollock, Tory Ross, Wayne Schroder, Maia Nkenge Wilson and Brandi Wooten.
The production features scenic design by two-time Tony Award winner Scott Pask, costume design by five-time Tony Award winner William Ivey Long, lighting design by eight-time Tony Award winners Jules Fisher and Peggy Eisenhauer, sound design by John Shivers, with musical supervision by Stephen Oremus (Wicked, All Shook Up).
Following its Los Angeles run, 9 to 5 will begin Broadway previews March 24, 2009, and open April 23, 2009, at the Marquis Theatre.
To purchase tickets for 9 to 5: The Musical, call (213) 628-2772. For more information visit www.9to5themusical.com.
