Deserves a Fair Promotion

You can almost hear the typewriters clickin' already: the stage musical version of the beloved workplace comedy 9 to 5 will have its world premiere next September in Los Angeles. Unlike most musicalized versions of popular movies, this one has the participation of two key players from the source material: Dolly Parton (who made her film debut in the 1980 movie and received an Oscar nomination for its title song) has written a brand new score for the stage production, and the film's screenwriter, Patricia Resnick, has penned the libretto.

The cast will include Allison Janney (former West Wing-er, recently seen onscreen in Hairspray and Juno) as Violet Newstead (Lily Tomlin's role), Stephanie J. Block (currently Elphaba in New York's Wicked, she was Liza in The Boy from Oz) as Judy Bernly (Jane Fonda) and Megan Hilty (Wicked's west coast Glinda, seen in the recent Ugly Betty episode) as Doralee Rhodes, the role Parton originated. Studly Marc Kudisch rounds out the cast as boss from hell Franklin Hart (Dabney Coleman). Tony Award winner Joe Mantello (Take Me Out, Wicked, the current The Ritz) will direct.

The new musical is expected to transfer to Broadway after next fall's Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre run. Considering that both The Drowsy Chaperone and Curtains recently made that same trip (and ended up with Best Musical Tony nominations), hopes are high that 9 to 5 will follow suit.

Click here to buy the 9 to 5movie on DVD from Amazon.com.
Links via Broadway.com and Imdb.com.