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Workin' '9 To 5' – Dolly Readies Her Latest Masterpiece!
By Jeremy Blacklow, Managing EditorForget about the Emmy Awards – Zzzzzzz.... the most exciting part of my weekend was the opening night of Dolly Parton's new stage production of "9 to 5: The Musical" at the Ahmanson Theater in Los Angeles.
(left to right -- book author Patricia Resnick, Dabney Coleman, Allison Janney, Lily Tomlin, Megan Hilty, Parton, Jane Fonda, Stephanie J. Block & Marc Kudisch) -- click on photo to view full size!)
Based on the hit 1980 movie about women in the workplace taking revenge on their chauvinist boss, the show is pure Dolly at her best.
And on Saturday night, I was reminded what it meant to be a part of a legendary night at the theater – something that's very rare for a former theater-spoiled New Yorker, transplanted to LA.
On hand that night – none other than original film stars Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Dabney Coleman. They were present to root on the respective talents taking on their iconic roles for the stage – Megan Hilty, Stephanie J. Block, Allison Janney and Marc Kudisch.
It was reported that the show had been having technical problems – and well, opening night was no exception – as the complicated set pieces (which operate by computer) didn’t quite operate exactly as planned during the first Act.
So, as spontaneously as she had done a week earlier during the first previews, Dolly hopped out of her seat and treated the entire audience to an impromptu performance. This time she even tried to coax Jane and Lily to join her (although they chose to stay seated). She then led the crowd in a sing-a-long version of "9 to 5," and was ready to launch into "I Will Always Love You," when the set problems were solved, and the show went on.
And this, folks, is why I LOVE live theater – you never know what you're gonna get, and sometimes, you experience something so special, it's practically cathartic. Dolly put everyone in the house Saturday night in a good mood – you'd have to have been Scrooge, not to have been smiling.
I'm happy to say that the show is very close to ready for Broadway (it
doesn't open, however, until April 2009 – plenty of time to fine
tune!). This show is going to play very well to both sophisticated New
York audiences, and Middle America. The themes are transcendent and the
music is infectious. Yep, Dolly & director Joe Mantello have a hit
on their hands.
After the show, the original cast members headed backstage, and Dolly, Lily and Jane, headed into Allison's dressing room along with Megan and Stephanie. The six women spent 30 minutes talking together, and then, after emerging, a small tear was seen coming out of Dolly's eye.
The torch…. friends… had been passed.
After the show, the original cast members headed backstage, and Dolly, Lily and Jane, headed into Allison's dressing room along with Megan and Stephanie. The six women spent 30 minutes talking together, and then, after emerging, a small tear was seen coming out of Dolly's eye.
The torch…. friends… had been passed.
Dolly is the best!