Dolly Parton's 9 to 5 Headed to Broadway in Fall '07

By: Feb. 19, 2006
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According to an interview in The LA Daily News, the upcoming Dolly Parton musical 9 to 5 is headed for Broadway next fall. In addition, a musical based on Parton's life may also come to The Great White Way in upcoming years.

"We've been workshopping (9 to 5)," according to the star, who also stated that "for years I've been writing my life story as a musical. I've got lots of pieces and want to get that all together. That's not in the works as far as going on Broadway just yet, but I have lots of people interested. So I'm excited about that, and I think that would be a wonderful way to tell my life story and still leave some open ends for the rest of it."

Parton, who starred in the hit 1980 office comedy on which 9 to 5 is based, will pen the musical's score.

9 to 5 will boast a book by the film's Patricia Resnick (she came up with the story and co-wrote the screenplay with director Colin Higgins). When the musical was announced in August of 2005, Tony Award-winner Joe Mantello (Wicked, Assassins, Take Me Out) was announced as a prospective director. Robert Greenblatt, the president of entertainment at Showtime Networks, Inc., will produce the musical, for which the draft of a book and songs are already written.

While no casting decisions have been made, 9 to 5 would most likely feature a cast of around 25; Resnick has stated that a workshop will precede the Broadway run. Parton, who played Doralee Rhodes in the film (and whose title song was nominated for an Oscar), does not intend to star in the show. She was joined by Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin in the popular movie--they played three secretaries who turn the tables on their sexist pig of a boss.

Resnick and Parton, rather than updating the musical with cell phones and laptops, are keeping it set in 1980. The musical will also feature more romance than did the movie, and secondary characters have been expanded.

Resnick's other screen credits include the TV films "Hell on Heels: The Battle of Mary Kay," "Sex, Lies and Obsession," and "The Expendables" and her feature film screenplays include Straight Talk, Maxie and A Wedding. She adapted her 1979 teleplay "Ladies in Waiting" into a musical (with the help of Alan Poul and Jonathan Sheffer); it received summer stock and regional productions in Illionois.

Parton is a multi-Grammy Award winner whose songs include "Here You Come Again" and "I Will Always Love You." As a screen actress, she has appeared in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Rhinestone, Steel Magnolias and Resnick's Straight Talk; she has also contributed songs to such films as Norma Rae, Rhinestone and Pink Cadillac. "Travelin' Thru," which she wrote for Transamerica, is currently up for an Academy Award.

For more information, visit www.dollymania.net.

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