Ahmanson Theatre (Los Angeles, CA)
Based on the movie about three office workers who turn the tables on their sexist boss, this new comedy features music and lyrics by Dolly Parton, including the blockbuster title song. Starring Emmy Award winner Allison Janney ("The West Wing"), 9 to 5: The Musical has a book by Patricia Resnick, who wrote the film, and is directed by Joe Mantello, director of Wicked.
Event summary prepared by the Goldstar Editorial Team.
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The last event was Friday October 17, 2008 / 8:00pm. (view all dates)
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The audience was practically banging down the doors for more!! I have never heard such wild enthusiasm from the audience for an out-of-town tryout! Ms. Parton and her creative team have put together a Blockbuster of a new musical, which lands on Broadway next spring! A few points of interest:
-BELIEVE everything you have heard about the sets! They are out of control and unbelievable! Think 'Wicked' meets 'Office Space'.
-Prepare yourself for the return of the 65-yr-old 'Dream Ballet' sequence! It's fantastic! (Shout out to R&H)
-Keep your ears open for a DIRECT quote from 'Wicked' -- if you know 'Wicked' well, you can't miss it!
The music was nice -- none of the songs came even close to the greatness of the title song, but even if the tunes weren't memorable, the actors sure gave a memorable delivery of them! The book was incredibly well-written, and VERY funny! (Of course, I give a lot of credit to the original screenplay of the hit movie.)
The best part of the evening was the cast -- what an amazing group of performers, led by three powerhouse women! Allison Janney, Megan Hilty, and Stephanie J. Block are perfectly cast in their roles! The entire company was 100% committed to what they were doing up there; the singing, dancing, and acting were SOLID, and they were having FUN with each other, all while staying out of the way of the huge, non-stop set changes! Go, Dolly! And go, team!
A bit slow in the beginning, but worth every minute. Leave the kids at home unless you want to explain a few very adult-oriented scenarios.
You have some of the most talented people on Earth on that stage. But the show itself needs a tremendous ammount of work. The audience loved it, but I'm picky. If you never saw the movie, you'll love it. If you've seen the movie...there it is. Exactly. With songs.
This musical has TONY AWARD written all over it! This is your ticket to a great time at the theater and Megan IS Dolly! She does an incredible job! Stephanie Block is also incredible and has a show stopping tune that will run chills down your spine (Think "Defy Gravity" in Wicked!)! Although the show will probably undergo a few re-writes, (a couple of spots need help or tightening) - I am glad I saw the first attempt and would definitely see it again on Broadway! The score is fantastic! Kudos to Dolly Parton! I can't wait to buy the soundtrack!
Far exceeded my expectations. Truly spectacular set design; it's easy to understand why technical aspects delayed this show's debut a couple times. Tremendous cast and choreography, and -- even though Dolly's score is good, not great -- the whole thing is obviously Broadway bound.
A very enjoyable show, particularly if you are a fan of the movie, as the show is incredibly similar. Great performances by the 3 leading ladies and a set that is a character all it's own.
The show was very nostalgic and the musical numbers were good. The stagging and sets are amazing!!! It is a very fun and entertaining show that leaves you with a smile on your face. It was great fun!!!! I originally had tickets for the 9/7/08 performance (cancelled) and am so glad Goldstar was able to offer the 1/2 price tickets (it was even cheaper than the preview). The Ahmanson folks were on top of everything and I had no problems getting my tickets at will call.
Thank you so much
Steven
UGH! Yet ANOTHER musical based off of a movie. My advise, if you're sick of these type of shows...DON'T go see it. Yes, the acting/singing/dancing/set was great. HOWEVER the plot was BLEH! Nothing surprising, nothing to stand out and make the show unique and fun.
So much for being a Dolly Parton fan....
OMG!!! an EXCELLENT night of gags, great songs, wonderful performances, incredible sets and art direction, and LAUGHS LAUGHS LAUGHS
Megan, Stepanie and Alison were AWESOME! It just could use some tightening and clean up in the beganing
It was just ok. Very well cast and nice staging and some of the songs were really wonderful, but overall the show still needs a ton of work.
It was amazing! I enjoyed the movie. I really enjoyed the play! The music was great. I had such a great time. I would definitely see it again and again!
Megan Hilty was awesome!
Great discount good seats
It is obvious that the first act will be trimmed before it moves to Broadway. The dream sequence is entirely too long. apart from a few decent songs, the score is not very memorable. Though, the performances were amazing. Definitely a fun night, but BILLY ELLIOT will beat it for the Tony.
great seats and a wonderful show!
This show is enjoyable. The songs, staging and overall production values enhance the experience. The costumes, lighting, and interesting use of mechanicals for set changes made for a fun evening.
The night I saw it one of the leads for the role of Judy was substituted and the actress did fine, especially in her major solo late in the show, but she was unsteady in the first act with some of the choreography and interactions with other cast members. The copier gone awry number needs work as it doesn't 'read' as a machine gone amok as it should.
it was bloated and amateurish, cleaving to an outdate script with the songs shoved in willy nilly.
If you liked the movie, you will enjoy. There are a few fun off-color jokes and modern political jabs that are fun. The Dolly Parton character is a spot on impersonation. Allison Janney gives it her best, but her pipes do not stand up to those of her seasoned Broadway co-stars. The songs outside of the main theme and Parton's "Backwoods Barbie" are largely forgettable.
The addition of a romance between Violet and a much younger man is regrettable. No chemistry whatsoever.
Overall a fun night, but if you aren't presdisposed to liking it based on its pedigree, you probably will not be impressed.
The staging is fantastic.
We absolutely love the show. So much fun! Even our 8 year old son had a great time. The performances were wonderful, the set was creative and the songs fabulous!
For nearly 40 years the Ahmanson Theatre has presented a wide variety of dramas, musicals, comedies and classic revivals, playing host to a veritable who's who in the entertainment world from Katharine Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor and Rex Harrison, to James Earl Jones, Lynn Redgrave and Cherry Jones.
The Ahmanson has a classic proscenium stage designed for large musicals and plays in a... More
Don't miss this new musical comedy based on the classic hit movie! 9 to 5: The Musical features a brand-new score by seven-time Grammy Award winner Dolly Parton that includes the blockbuster title song, plus a book by original screenwriter Patricia Resnick and direction by two-time Tony Award winner Joe Mantello (directing his first new musical since Wicked).
Emmy Award winner and Tony Award nominee Allison Janney stars as Violet Newstead, the super-efficient office manager who joins her fellow co-workers--frazzled divorcée Judy Bernly (Stephanie J. Block) and sexy secretary Doralee Rhodes (Megan Hilty in the role originated by Dolly Parton in the film)--to turn the tables on their “sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical, bigot” of a boss, Franklin Hart Jr. (Tony Award nominee Marc Kudisch).
In a hilarious turn of events, Violet, Judy and Doralee live out their wildest fantasy --giving their boss the boot! While Hart remains “otherwise engaged,” the women give their workplace a dream makeover and rise to the top of the company that once looked at them as second-class citizens. A girl can scheme can't she?
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