Parton's '9 to 5' Musical Premieres in LA 2008; Janney, Block, Hilty & Kudisch Star

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 (In The Heights). Two-time Tony Award-winner Joe Mantello (Wicked, Assassins) will direct.

Multiple Emmy Award-winner and Tony Award-nominee Allison Janney (Hairspray film, "The West Wing") 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 (Wicked, The Pirate Queen), and the sexy executive secretary Doralee Rhodes, played by Megan Hilty (Wicked), 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 Glorious Ones, The Apple Tree).

"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," explain press notes.

9 to 5 features scenic design by two-time Tony Award-winner Scott Pask (The Ritz, Cry-Baby), lighting design by eight-time Tony Award-winners Jules Fisher and Peggy Eisenhauer (Assassins), with a costume designer to be announced shortly.

Composer and Lyricist, Dolly 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.

Subscription tickets to the Ahmanson Theatre's 2008-2009 season will be available for purchase in March 2008.  Current (2007-2008 season) Ahmanson subscribers will receive priority seating for the 2008-2009 season. For subscription information, call (213) 628-2772 or visit www.CenterTheatreGroup.org.

Photo: Dolly Parton from DollyParton.com