9 TO 5: THE MUSICAL Comes to Starlight Theatre, 6/21-26

Based on the hit 1980 movie and featuring Dolly Parton's original title song and new Tony Award® and Grammy®-nominated score, the all-new national tour of 9 to 5: The Musical punches its timecard at Starlight Theatre for six performances on June 21-26. All shows start at 8 p.m. on Starlight's Jeannette and Jerome Cohen Community Stage.

A hilarious story of friendship and revenge in the Rolodex era, 9 to 5: The Musical follows three unlikely friends who conspire to take control of their company and learn there's nothing they can't do - even in a man's world! Outrageous, thought-provoking and even a little romantic, 9 to 5: The Musical is about teaming up and taking care of business ... getting credit and getting even.

The musical, which opened on Broadway in April 2009, marked the Broadway debut for seven-time Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and musician Parton. The national tour then opened in September 2010 in Parton's hometown of Nashville, a fitting tribute to her significant role in the musical. "I couldn't have asked for a better experience on my first Broadway show," said Parton of her role as the production's composer and lyricist. "I couldn't wait for this show to hit the road so people across the country could see why I'm so proud of everyone involved."

The tour's outstanding comic cast is led by Broadway veterans Dee Hoty, Mamie Parris, Diana DeGarmo, Joseph Mahowald and Kristine Zbornik.

Tony-nominated for her Broadway starring roles in Footloose, The Best Little Whorehouse Goes Public and The Will Rogers Follies, Dee Hoty plays the principal role of Violet Newstead. Hoty has also starred in eight major U.S. cities as Donna Sheridan in Mamma Mia! She is joined in 9 to 5's secretarial pool by Diana DeGarmo (Doralee Rhodes) who has appeared on Broadway in Hair, Hairspray and Brooklyn: The Musical but is likely best known as the runner-up on the third season of "American Idol" and by Mamie Parris (Judy Bernly), whose Broadway credits include the Tony-nominated revival of Ragtime, 110 in the Shade and the Tony-winning musical The Drowsy Chaperone. It should be noted that Parris also has Kansas City roots, having moved here at age 11; she is a graduate of Kansas City's Paseo Academy of Fine and Performing Arts.

In the show's other lead roles, Joseph Mahowald stars as unsuspecting boss Franklin Hart, Jr., while Kristine Zbornik shines as the always-amorous Roz. Mahowald has appeared on Broadway in the title roles in Jekyll & Hyde, Javert in Les Misérables and Chiefton O'Flaherty in The Pirate Queen. Meanwhile, comic, actress and cabaret performer Zbornik performed on Broadway in A Catered Affair.

9 to 5: The Musical was nominated for four 2009 Tony Awards, including Best Original Score, and received a record-breaking 15 Drama Desk nominations, including Outstanding Musical. The show's book was written by Patricia Resnick, who co-authored the original screenplay. The touring production is directed and choreographed by Tony-nominated Jeff Calhoun, who first met Dolly Parton when he was a chorus kid dancing in her film The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.

"I'm looking forward to bringing Starlight audiences a fun night under the stars with this energetic and highly entertaining production," said Denton Yockey, Starlight president and executive producer. "9 to 5's lighthearted look at female empowerment will surely convince audience members to leave their workday worries behind."

Tickets for 9 to 5: The Musical at Starlight Theatre are on sale now for $10 to $85. Tickets are available online at www.kcstarlight.com, by calling 816.363.STAR (7827) or at the Starlight box office at 4600 Starlight Road, Kansas City, MO 64132. All performances begin at 8 p.m.

Discount prices for groups of 15 or more are available by contacting group sales manager Felicia Goodison at 816.997.1137 or felicia.goodison@kcstarlight.com.

Starlight Theatre
Presenting Broadway entertainment since 1951, the non-profit Starlight Theatre Association is Kansas City's oldest and largest performing arts organization. The Association operates, programs and maintains the largest stage in the United States, as well as the 16-acre Starlight Theatre complex. While assuming all annual operating costs for the complex, the Association also raises funds for capital improvements and a variety of programs, including national Broadway musical performances, concerts, community outreach and education. Since 2000, the Association has contributed more than $25 million of privately funded improvements to the Kansas City, Mo.-owned Starlight Theatre. Each Broadway season, Starlight donates more than 11,000 tickets to its performances to regional non-profit organizations serving the disadvantaged.

In 2010, Starlight Theatre was selected as the "Favorite Performing Arts Venue" and the "Favorite Concert/Live Music Venue" in the Kansas City Convention & Visitors Association's Visitors' Choice Awards program. Starlight also received a Gold Award for "Best Performing Arts Venue" and Silver Award for "Best Theater" in Ingram's 2010 Best of Business Kansas City Awards, as well as the award for "Best Live Theater Venue" in the KC Magazine City's Best 2010 competition.

Starlight Theatre seats approximately 8,000 and is located in Swope Park.

 

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