Dolly Parton Talks Broadway's '9 To 5' to Billboard

Dolly Parton reveals to Billboard that she has a bit of the jitters as she prepares "9 to 5: The Musical" for its Broadway debut.

"I'm anxious about it," the country music legend tells Billboard.com. Parton, who co-starred in the 1980 film, wrote the score for the production including the new song "Backwoods Barbie," which is also the title of her latest album , while co-screenwriter Patricia Resnick wrote the book.

"I've been working on this for four years," Parton told the music industry paper, "and the thing about Broadway is you could work four years and close the next night -- or never open at all. Everything's a chance. To read Dolly's chat with Billboard, click here.

"9 To 5: The Musical begins previews on Broadway Tuesday, April 7, 2009, and opens Thursday, April 30, 2009, at the Marriott Marquis Theatre.

9 To 5: The Musical marks the Broadway debut of seven-time Grammy Award winning singer, songwriter and musician Dolly Parton as composer and lyricist. The musical's book by Patricia Resnick is based on her original story and screenplay for the smash 1980 film comedy. Directed by two-time Tony Award winner Joe Mantello and choreographed by Tony Award winner Andy Blankenbuehler, 9 To 5: The Musical will star four-time Emmy Award winner and Tony Award nominee Allison Janney, Stephanie J. Block, Megan Hilty, and two-time Tony Award nominee Marc Kudisch.

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, imaging by Peter Nigrini, Jules Fisher and Peggy Eisenhauer, sound design by John Shivers, with musical supervision by Stephen Oremus.

When pushed to their boiling point by their boss, Franklin Hart, Jr. (Marc Kudisch), Violet Newstead (Allison Janney), the super efficient office manager, Judy Bernly (Stephanie J. Block), a frazzled divorcee, and the sexy executive secretary Doralee Rhodes (Megan Hilty) turn the tables on him. The trio hatches a plan to get even with the sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical, bigot, and that plan quickly spins wildly and hilariously out of control. Ms. Parton's original score for 9 To 5: The Musical includes over sixteen new songs
as well as the Grammy Award winning, Academy Award nominated, and #1 Billboard title song.

The 31 member cast of 9 To 5: The Musical features Andy Karl, Kathy Fitzgerald, Ioana Alfonso, Timothy George 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 (Dance captain), Justin Patterson, Jessica Lea Patty, Charlie Pollock, Tory Ross, Wayne Schroder, Maia Nkenge Wilson and Brandi Wooten.

The Preview playing schedule for 9 To 5: The Musical is as follows: Monday thru Friday at 8pm and Saturday at 2pm & 8pm.

The Post-opening playing schedule is as follows: Tuesday at 7pm; Wednesday thru Saturday at 8pm; Sunday at 3pm; with matinees on Wednesday and Saturday at 2pm. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.com (212-307-4100) or at the Marriott Marquis Theater Box Office and range from $126.50 to $66.50.

Photo by Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.

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