Photo Flashback: A Fond Farewell To The Workin' Girls - Celebrating '9 TO 5' On Broadway

An extensive national tour of 9 To 5: The Musical will launch the week of September 20, 2010 at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center in Nashville.

9 To 5: The Musical marks the Broadway debut of seven-time Grammy Award winning singer, songwriter and musician Dolly Parton as composer and lyricist. With direction by two-time Tony Award winner Joe Mantello and choreography by Tony Award winner Andy Blankenbuehler, 9 To 5: The Musical has a book by Patricia Resnick, based on her original story and screenplay for the smash 1980 film comedy.

"I couldn't have asked for a better experience on my first Broadway show," said Dolly Parton. "I've had the privilege of working with an amazing group of people who have become like family to me. I can't wait for this show to hit the road so people across the country can see why I'm so proud of everyone involved. And I'm so pleased that we'll be opening the tour in Nashville. Great things happen in Nashville."

9 To 5: The Musical is produced by Green State Productions, Richard Levi, John McColgan/Moya Doherty/Edgar Dobie, James L. Nederlander/Terry Allen Kramer, Independent Presenters Network, Jam Theatricals, Bud Martin, Michael Watt, The Weinstein Co/Sonia Friedman/Dede Harris, Center Theatre Group, Norton Herrick/Matthew C Blank/Joan Stein, Toni Dowgiallo, and GFour Productions.

9 To 5: The Musical was nominated for four 2009 Tony Awards including Best Original Score, Best Actress in a Musical (Allison Janney), Best Featured Actor in a Musical (Marc Kudisch), and Best Choreography. Additionally, Allison Janney received a 2009 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical, with the production receiving a record breaking 15 Drama Desk nominations including Outstanding Musical, Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Stephanie J. Block, Megan Hilty, Allison Janney), Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical (Marc Kudisch), Outstanding Director of a Musical, Outstanding Choreography, Outstanding Music, Outstanding Lyrics, Outstanding Book of a Musical, Outstanding Orchestrations, Outstanding Set Design of a Musical, Outstanding Costume Design, Outstanding Lighting Design in a Musical and Outstanding Sound Design. 9 To 5: The Musical was also nominated for Outer Critics Circle Awards for Outstanding Choreographer, Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Megan Hilty) and Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical (Kathy Fitzgerald), and Drama League Award nominations for Distinguished Production of a Musical and Distinguished Performance (Allison Janney, Megan Hilty).

Dolly Parton's Tony Award-nominated score for 9 To 5: The Musical was released on Tuesday, July 28, 2009 by DOLLY RECORDS. The Original Broadway Cast Recording of 9 to 5: The Musical was recorded Sunday, May 3, and Monday, May 4, 2009, at Legacy Recording Studios in New York and is available at the Marquis Theatre in New York City, on all digital formats, in retail outlets and via www.dollypartonmusic.net. The album is the label's second release and is produced by Stephen Oremus and Dolly Parton. Alex Lacamoire (music director and co-orchestrator for the Grammy winning original cast recording of In The Heights) is co-producer, and the album was recorded and mixed by Frank Filipetti.

When pushed to their boiling point by their boss, Franklin Hart, Jr. (Marc Kudisch), Violet Newstead (Allison Janney), the super efficient office manager, Judy Bernly (Stephanie J. Block), a frazzled divorcee, and the sexy executive secretary Doralee Rhodes (Megan Hilty) turn the tables on him. The trio hatches a plan to get even with the sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical, bigot, and that plan quickly spins wildly and hilariously out of control. Ms. Parton's original score for 9 To 5: The Musical includes sixteen new songs as well as the Grammy Award winning, Academy Award nominated, and #1 Billboard title song. 9 To 5: The Musical had its world premiere engagement in Los Angeles at the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre where began previews Wednesday, September 3, opened Saturday, September 20, and played through Sunday, October 19, 2008. 9 To 5: The Musical was awarded Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards for Dolly Parton's score and Andy Blankenbuehler's choreography.

The production features scenic design by two-time Tony Award winner Scott Pask, costume design by five-time Tony Award winner William Ivey Long, lighting design by Tony Award winners Jules Fisher and Kenneth Posner, sound design by John Shivers, imaging by Peter Nigrini and Peggy Eisenhauer, with music direction by Stephen Oremus.

For more information visit www.9to5themusical.com.

After his life as an ingenue in Brooklyn & Queens, Walter spent the next 25 Years in a leading role as a Photographer / Photo Researcher in Manhattan. He is currently headlining in New Jersey with his partner Richard and children Dali & Gala. As a 14 year old youth, Walter was transfixed by his first Broadway Show, the original production of "GREASE". His journey on the path to celebrity photojournalism began that fateful night. Meeting, photographing and getting to know the cast inspired him to spend his professional life doing what he loved. His photography is syndicated worldwide through Retna Ltd. and Corbis.

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