The show was first expected to bow at the Ahmanson in L.A. in Sept. 3, then on Sept. 6.
The previously announced preview performances of Saturday, Sept. 6 at 8 PM and Sunday, Sept. 7 at 1 PM and 6:30 PM have been canceled "because the size and scope of the new musical necessitate further technical rehearsals," according to a statement released Sept. 4.
Audiences for these canceled three previews will be moved to other performances, including two specially added performances: a preview on Sunday, Sept. 14 at 1 PM and a 6:30 PM performance on the closing date of Oct. 19.
Michael Ritchie, CTG artistic director, said in a statement, "I hate disappointing these early preview audiences, but thankfully we have the ability to add performances later in the run to help re-locate our audiences. And once they see the show, they will understand why we are taking the extra time to meet this musical's large technical demands. 9 to 5: The Musical is one of the biggest shows ever produced at the Ahmanson, and big shows, with this quality of cast and creative team deserve the utmost support in their development. To do any less would be a disservice to all."
Previews will now run Sept. 9-19, with the opening date of Sept. 20 remaining unchanged. 9 to 5: The Musical has music and lyrics by seven-time Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and musician Dolly Parton, book by Patricia Resnick and choreography by Tony Award-winner Andy Blankenbuehler. Two-time Tony Award winner Joe Mantello (Wicked, Take Me Out, Assassins) is the director.
Multiple Emmy Award-winner and Tony Award-nominee Allison Janney stars as Violet Newstead, the super efficient office manager who joins her co-workers — the frazzled divorcee Judy Bernly, played by Stephanie J. Block, and the sexy executive secretary Doralee Rhodes, played by Megan Hilty, to turn the tables on their boss, the "sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical, bigot" Franklin Hart, Jr., played by two-time Tony Award nominee Marc Kudisch.
For further information and to purchase tickets for 9 to 5: The Musical, call (213) 628-2772.
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Of the previous delay, seven-time Grammy winner Parton stated, "Oh, what's two to three more days on a project that we've worked two to three years on? The sets and the technical end of things are more involved on this musical than they were on the movie! And it's going to look fantastic."
The production will begin Broadway previews March 24, 2009, and open April 23, 2009, at the Marquis Theatre.
9 to 5: The Musical, based on the 20th Century Fox motion picture, has book by original screenwriter Resnick (who also came up with the film's original story) and music and lyrics by country music legend and seven-time Grammy Award winner Dolly Parton, who also starred in the smash 1980 movie.
Parton's original score for 9 to 5: The Musical will include over 20 new songs as well as the Grammy Award-winning, Academy Award-nominated No. 1 Billboard title song. "Backwoods Barbie," heard on Parton's new album of the same name, is also part of the show's score, Parton previously said.
The 30-member cast of 9 to 5: The Musical features Andy Karl, Kathy Fitzgerald, Ioana Alfonso, Timothy Anderson, Jennifer Balagna, Justin Bohon, Paul Castree, Daniel Cooney, Jeremy Davis, Gaelen Gilliland, Autumn Guzzardi, Ann Harada, Lisa Howard, Van Hughes, Kevin Kern, Brendan King, Michael X. Martin, Michael Mindlin, Karen Murphy, Mark Myars, Jessica Lea Patty, Charlie Pollock, Tory Ross, Wayne Schroder, Maia Nkenge Wilson and Brandi Wooten.
The production will feature scenic design by two-time Tony Award winner Scott Pask, costume design by five-time Tony Award winner William Ivey Long, lighting design by eight-time Tony Award winners Jules Fisher and Peggy Eisenhauer, sound design by John Shivers, with musical supervision by Stephen Oremus (Wicked, All Shook Up).
For more information visit www.9to5themusical.com.
