9 to 5 the Musical

9 to 5: The Musical features music and lyrics by country music legend Dolly Parton. Based on the film ‘9 to 5’, the musical is adapted by Patricia Resnick, who also penned the screenplay. Parton starred in the 1980 movie and was at the helm of bringing the show to the stage, combining new material along with songs that she had previously written. Despite a fantastic cast, 9 to 5: The Musical ran for an exceptionally limited time on Broadway, closing before it reached 150 performances. A successful tour was launched in the UK in 2012, starring Ben Richards and Jackie Clune, with the production setting it sights on the West End.

9-to-5_Playbill

Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton

Patricia Resnick

Colin Higgins' 1980 film

Colin Higgins, Patricia Resnick

Center Theatre Group

Joe Mantello

Andy Blankenbuehler

Productions
9 to 5 Original Broadway

Original Broadway Production

Marquis Theatre - Opened 30 Apr 2009, closed 6 Sep 2009, 148 performances

Cast: Allison Janney (Violet Newstead), Stephanie J. Block (Judy Bernly), Megan Hilty (Doralee Rhodes), Marc Kudisch (Franklin Hart Jr), Kathy Fitzgerald (Roz Keith), Andy Karl (Joe)

9 to 5 UK Tour 2012

US Tour (2010)

US Tour - Opened 21 Sep 2010, closed 31 Jul 2011

Cast: Dee Hoty (Violet Newstead), Mamie Parris (Judy Bernly), Diana DeGarmo (Doralee Rhodes), Joseph Mahowald (Franklin Hart Jr), Kristine Zbornik (Roz Keith), Gregg Goodbrod (Joe)

9to5

UK Tour (2013)

UK Tour - Opened 9 Jan 2013, closed 27 Jul 2013

Cast: Ben Richards (Franklyn Hart), Jackie Clune (Violet Newstead), Natalie Casey (Judy Bernly), Amy Lennox (Doralee Rhodes), Bonnie Langford (Roz Keith), Mark Willshire (Joe) Replacements: Mark Moraghan (Franklyn), Anita Louise Combe (Roz)



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Synopsis

Twitter Synopsis:

Three office women conspire together to get rid of their misogynistic boss to create a more female-friendly office environment for all.

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9 to 5: the Musical  opens with various alarm clocks signalling the start of another working day, and we are introduced to Violet, Doralee and Judy in their various habitats. Another hellish day at Consolidated Industries begins under the hand of Franklin Hart Jr, whilst Judy starts her first day at work. Violet who promises to train her and show her how best to survive in the office. Franklin Hart Jr is hated by everyone in the office, especially Doralee, his secretary who he lusts over, much to her discomfort. Judy has a series of work-related issues on her first day and the three women bemoan their lives and personal issues. The next day Judy meets Doralee but Judy is scared of going to lunch with her. Meanwhile, Violet gets overlooked for another promotion and Doralee finds out that Hart has told people they are having an affair.

The three women unite in their hatred of Hart and fantasise about ways of killing their boss, but realise that he is very much alive when they have to go back to work. Racked with guilt, Violet believes she has accidentally poisoned Mr Hart with rat poison in his coffee, and go to the hospital to find him. Roz, who has feelings for their boss, overhears their worries and tells Hart, who goes along with the plan by pretending he was poisoned to scare the girls. He confronts Doralee, who panics and ties him to his chair using telephone wires. Later, the women make a plan to trap Hart in his own home, restraining him with a mechanical harness above his bed.

As the second act opens, the women are wondering how they can keep everyone in the dark about Hart’s disappearance. Doralee is able to forge his signature, so the girls start to run the company. Violet enjoys the new sense of power and finally feels like she is in the right position. But Roz soon begins to sniff around and the only way to get rid of her is to send her away to France on a conference. Hart continues to be strung up in his bedroom and still continues to assert his authority. In the office, the staff are thankful for the changes that the girls have made. Joe approaches Violet and asks her on a date, but she shrugs him off saying the death of her husband has made her unsure about getting back on the dating wagon. Joe convinces her to move on and she agrees to date him. Meanwhile, Judy’s ex husband Dick arrives and begs her to take him back, but she refuses him, telling him to get out and stay out.

Hart manages to escape, holding Judy hostage in the process. He credits himself with the positive changes in the office when the CEO arrives, and although the girls speak out, they are instantly shot down. Hart is then sent to deal with operations in Bolivia and Violet is promoted to his position.

Songs

Act I

  • “9 to 5″ — Violet, Doralee, Dwayne, Judy and Ensemble
  • “Around Here” — Violet and Ensemble
  • “Here for You” — Franklin Hart, Jr.
  • “I Just Might” — Judy, Doralee and Violet
  • “Backwoods Barbie” — Doralee
  • “The Dance of Death” — Judy, Hart and Ensemble
  • “Cowgirl’s Revenge” — Doralee, Hart and Ensemble
  • “Potion Notion” — Violet, Hart and Ensemble
  • “Joy to the Girls”  — Judy, Doralee, Violet, Hart and Ensemble
  • “Heart to Hart” — Roz and Ensemble
  • “Shine Like the Sun” — Doralee, Judy, Violet
Act II 
  • “Entr’acte” — Orchestra
  • “One of the Boys” — Violet and Boys
  • “5 to 9″ — Roz
  • “Always a Woman” — Hart and Men’s Ensemble
  • “Change It”  — Doralee, Violet, Judy and Ensemble
  • “Let Love Grow”— Joe, Violet
  • “Get Out and Stay Out”— Judy
  • “Finale: 9 to 5″ — Company
Awards

2009 Drama Desk Awards: Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Allison Janney)

Licensing

UK: Josef Weinberger

USA: Musical Theatre International

 

 

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