Show History

History

Inspiration

9 to 5 The Musical is based on the 1980 American comedy film, 9 to 5. Written by Patricia Resnick and Colin Higgins, and directed by Higgins, the film concerns three working women who live out their fantasies of getting even with, and their successful overthrow of, the company's boss. It starred Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton and Dabney Coleman.

9 to 5 was a hit, grossing over $3.9 million in its opening weekend at the box office in the U.S., and is the twentieth highest-grossing comedy film of all time. The film is also number 74 on the American Film Institute's "100 Funniest Movies."

Productions

9 to 5 The Musical is based on the 1980 movie of the same name, with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton. It features a book by Patricia Resnick, based on the screenplay by Resnick and Colin Higgins. It first began its life in a reading on January 19, 2007, and, later, in a week-long workshop, beginning on June 20, 2007, and culminating in an industry presentation in New York on June 28, 2007.

9 to 5 The Musical then had a world premiere out-of-town engagement at the Center Theatre Group's Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, beginning previews September 9, 2008, before officially opening on September 20, 2008, and running through October 19, 2008.

Following its Los Angeles premiere, the musical opened on Broadway on April 30, 2009, and ran for 24 previews and 148 performances before closing on September 6, 2009. The production was directed by Joe Mantello with choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler and featured such cast notables as Allison Janey, Megan Hilty, Stephanie J. Block and Mark Kudisch.

Subsequently, the first national tour began at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center in Nashville on September 21, 2010. Jeff Calhoun took over as director and choreographer on the production, and a few edits were made to the show, shortening the second act. The ten-month tour concluded on July 31, 2011, at the Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth, Texas.

In addition to the national tour, 9 to 5 The Musical also launched a UK National Tour and has enjoyed much regional success in theatres such as Music Theatre of Wichita, Theatre by the Sea, Merry-Go-Round Playhouse and Ogunquit Playhouse.

Cultural Influence

• On July 28, 2009, 9 to 5 The Musical (Original Broadway Cast Recording) was released by Dolly Records.

Trivia

• On top of the awards it won, 9 to 5 The Musical was nominated for four Tony Awards; an additional, record-breaking fourteen Drama Desk Awards, including one for Outstanding Musical; three Drama League Awards; three Outer Critics Circle Awards; seven LA Ovation Awards and a Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album .

• Actress, Bebe Neuwirth, was a part of 9 to 5 The Musical in its early developmental stages.