Workin' 9 2--8
Workin' 9 2--8The musical stage adaptation of 9 To 5 is a go for September 2008.
The Broadway-bound tuner will enjoy its world premiere tryout in LA at the city's Ahmanson Theatre, which helped birth the current Broadway hits Curtains and The Drowsy Chaperone. According to Variety, the show will open September 21, 2008.
There's definitely a lot of interest here. In a recent SOB Poll, I asked, "Which previously announced stage adaptation of a movie would you most like to see on Broadway?" By a wide margin, a plurality of you (40.9%) said your choice was 9 To 5 -- the next closest vote was 18.2% who said "Enough with turning films into musicals!"
Stephanie J. Block, who let's face it was the only reason to plunk down money to see the disaster known as The Pirate Queen, may finally have a role that makes her a bona fide Broadway star. Don't get me wrong, I loved her as Liza Minnelli in the mildly entertaining The Boy From Oz and think she does a mean (and that's good) Elphaba in Wicked, but this exceptional actress deserves a high profile role that can really grab Broadway's attention. This could be it as Block is set to take on the role Judy Bernly, originally created by Jane Fonda in the film version.
Block will be teaming up with four-time Emmy Award winning actress Allison Janney (who also received a 1998 Tony nod for A View From A Bridge) and a former Glinda, Megan Hilty. Janney will portray Violet Newstead (delightfully played by Lily Tomlin in the film), while Hilty fills the big, er, shoes of Dolly Parton as Doralee Rhodes.
Speaking of Parton, the beloved songstress has written the score to 9 To 5, while Patricia Resnick (who wrote the original story) is handling the show's book. Joe Mantello will be the boss man responsible for helming the play, while Andy Blankenbuehler (The Apple Tree and the upcoming In The Heights) will choreograph.
Visions of visiting LA next fall are already dancing in my head.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Related Stories:
2009 To 5? (August 29, 2007)
Labels: 9 To 5, Broadway, Dolly Parton, Film, Joe Mantello, Los Angeles, Marc Kudisch, Megan Hilty, Musical, Nine To Five, Stephanie J. Block, Tryout
posted by Steve On Broadway (SOB) @ Friday, November 16, 2007
2 Comments:
This has "BIG HIT" written all over it- an A-List director, an A-list leading cast, and Dolly Parton as the songwriter! I'm a bit surprised that they didn't pick a better known choreographer for this production but I'm sure the producers know what they're doing.
LA audiences will now be able to forgive Michael Ritchie (the head of the Ahmanson) for giving them such a lackluster season of touring productions this year after giving them two wonderfulpre-Broadway premieres last year (Curtains and Drowsy Chaperone).
Michael
www.myspace.com/wickedstage
Michael, We'll see you in lala land.
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