The cast will be headed by three-time Tony nominee Dee Hoty (Footloose, The Best Little Whorehouse Goes Public, The Will Rogers Follies) as Violet, Mamie Parris (Ragtime, 110 in the Shade) as Judy and "American Idol" finalist Diana DeGarmo (Hair, Hairspray) as Doralee Rhodes with Joseph Mahowald as Franklin Hart, Jr. and Kristine Zbornik as Roz.
Rounding out the cast are Jane Blass, Patrick Boyd, Paul Castree, Holly Davis, Janet Dickinson Madeleine Doherty, Marjorie Failoni, Gregg Goodbrod, K.J. Hippensteel, Jesse J.P. Johnson, Michelle Marmolejo, April Nixon, Ryah Nixon, Rick Pessagno, Wayne Schroder, Micah Shepard and Travis Waldschmidt.
The tour will be directed and choreographed by Tony nominee Jeff Calhoun.
In a statement director-choreographer Calhoun said, "I met Dolly Parton as a chorus kid dancing in the film 'The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas' only a few years after '9 to 5' was already a hit movie. It was a thrill to work with her then and an honor and privilege to be entrusted to direct and choreograph this exciting new tour of 9 to 5: The Musical."
The co–choreographer for the tour is Lisa Stevens. The production will also feature scenic design by Ken Foy, costume design by five time Tony Award winner William Ivey Long, lighting design by Tony Award and Drama Desk Award winner Ken Billington, sound design by Steve Kennedy, orchestrations by Bruce Coughlin and music supervision by Stephen Oremus. Joe Mantello (Wicked, Take Me Out) directed the Broadway staging, which Andy Blankenbuehler (In the Heights) choreographed. The Broadway musical — based on the hit 1980 movie comedy about women in an oppressive office workplace — closed on Broadway Sept. 6, 2009. The book was by Patricia Resnick, based on the screenplay that she co-wrote. Music and lyrics were by Dolly Parton, who wrote an entirely new score for the show (excluding the catchy title tune, of course).
A cast album was released on Parton's own record label in summer 2009.
The Broadway staging of 9 to 5 played 148 performances and 24 previews. Producer Robert Greenblatt is now taking his show on the road, with partners.
Parton said in a fall 2009 statement, "I couldn't have asked for a better experience on my first Broadway show. I've had the privilege of working with an amazing group of people who have become like family to me. I can't wait for this show to hit the road so people across the country can see why I'm so proud of everyone involved. And I'm so pleased that we'll be opening the tour in Nashville. Great things happen in Nashville."
9 to 5 was nominated for 2009 Tony Awards in the following categories: Best Original Score Written for the Theatre (Dolly Parton), Best Actress in a Musical (Allison Janney), Best Featured Actor in a Musical (Marc Kudisch), Best Choreography (Andy Blankenbuehler).
Allison Janney won the 2009 Drama Desk Award as Outstanding Actress in a Musical for her work in the show.
Musical direction and vocal arrangements are by Stephen Oremus (Wicked, All Shook Up).
For more information visit www.9to5themusical.com.
