'9 to 5' sets its world stage premiere

Dolly Parton's stage version of "9 to 5," the 1980 film in which she starred with Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, has found a home.

The show, which has a score by Parton and a book by Patricia Resnick, will have its world premiere in September at the Center Theatre Group's Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles. It opens Sept. 21, 2008, according to CTG's artistic director Michael Ritchie. Preview performances begin Sept. 3 for a run through Oct. 19, 2008.

The musical will star Allison Janney in the Tomlin role, Stephanie J. Block in Fonda's part and Megan Hilty in Parton's role as a sexy executive secretary.

The plot concerns three office workers who plot against their sexist boss, who will be played by Marc Kudisch. The musical will be directed by Joe Mantello, the director of "Wicked" and the current Broadway revival of Terrence McNally's "The Ritz."

"I will say this about Dolly Parton, she is unbelievable in her (theater) skills," Ritchie said Thursday in a telephone interview. "She really understands the Broadway idiom. It's this great mix between her own personal style and sort of a classic Broadway show. The score sounds great."

No word yet on whether the production will transfer from Los Angeles to Broadway, but Ritchie said, "It has the potential."

___

On the Net:

http://www.CenterTheatreGroup.org