National tour of 9 to 5: The Musical to launch at the Tennessee Performing Arts CenterThe national tour of the Broadway production 9 to 5: The Musical will open at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center next year.
The first launch of its kind at TPAC, the musical comedy, with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton, will be rehearsed in Andrew Jackson Hall for several weeks, prior to opening the 2010-2011 season of HCA/TriStar Broadway at TPAC, September 21-26, 2010, and moving on to major cities nationwide.“We’re thrilled. We loved the show in New York and Nashville is the perfect place to rehearse and open 9 to 5 before it tours to major cities nationwide,” said Kathleen O’Brien, TPAC’s president and chief executive officer. “We’re especially proud to be selected for this honor because Tennessee’s own Dolly Parton wrote the score for the musical comedy and TPAC invested in the Broadway production through our membership in the Independent Presenters Network.
So, for numerous reasons, we are highly invested in the success of this show. The launch of the tour will be a fun and historic event for Nashville, Tennessee and TPAC audiences as we celebrate our 30th anniversary in September 2010,” said O’Brien, noting that TPAC opened its doors in 1980, the same year that the film version of 9 to 5 was released.
Winner of seven Grammy Awards and named “Entertainer of the Year” by the Country Music Association in 1977, among hosts of honors, Dolly Parton won widespread acclaim for her first screen role in 9 to 5, co-starring with Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin as spirited office workers who considered themselves “just a step on the boss-man’s ladder.” In addition to the success of the film, her Grammy-winning title song struck a chord with millions of Americans. The catchy tune reached #1 on the country, pop and adult charts. The multi-talented Parton wrote 16 new songs for the stage musical and was actively involved in its development, marking her debut as a Broadway composer and lyricist.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better experience on my first Broadway show,” said 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.”
Just about one year from now, O’Brien said, the creative team, cast and crew from the first national tour of 9 to 5: The Musical will come to Nashville for several weeks of rehearsal and “tech” in Andrew Jackson Hall. The 2010-2011 season of “HCA/TriStar Broadway at TPAC” will open on September 21, 2010 with 8 performances here before the show moves on to cities across the nation.
The Broadway 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, who served as the musical director for “Broadway Meets Country,” a concert presented by TPAC and the Country Music Association in 2006.
Closely following the plot of the film, the musical comedy features three co-workers pushed to their boiling point by their boss. The trio hatches a plan to get even with their sexist, egotistical supervisor that quickly spins wildly and hilariously out of control. On Broadway, Violet Newstead the efficient office manager is played by Allison Janney, with Stephanie J. Block and Megan Hilty, respectively, as the frazzled divorcee Judy Bernly and the sexy executive secretary Doralee Rhodes (played by Parton in the film).
See the web site www.9to5themusical.com for more information on the production, which is closing on Broadway in September.
“What a way to observe our 30th anniversary in 2010,” said O’Brien. “We’re excited to be ‘coming full circle’ with so many connections to 9 to 5. We look forward to sharing this special, historic milestone with our audiences as we celebrate 30 years of art, entertainment, and education together at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center.”
September 3, 2009
LAST: WHEN A BROADWAY PLAY ISSUES 'EXAMINER' (FAKE NEWS) BLOG ARTICLES, YOU KNOW IT'S CLOSE TO 'DARK' - National tour of 9 to 5: The Musical to launch at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center
If I ran Blogger, everyone would have to do five Charro posts, and be put in front of a blogger board - Charro performs on the
If I ran Blogger, everyone would have to do five Charro posts, and be put in front of a blogger board - Charro performs on the 2000 MDA Telethon.
haven't hit blogasm yet, but i can feel it coming: Welcome to MDA | Muscular Dystrophy Association Helping Jerry's Kids.......
Welcome to MDA | Muscular Dystrophy Association Helping Jerry's Kids.......Telethon History
Few television traditions in America are as popular as the annual Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon.
The 21½-hour, star-studded variety show simultaneously entertains, informs and raises funds for MDA’s vital service and research programs.
First broadcast over Labor Day weekend in 1966 by a lone TV station in New York City, the unique event starring popular comedian Jerry Lewis quickly caught the public’s attention – and raised more than $1 million in pledges. Now, more than 40 years later, the show will be broadcast by 180 MDA “Love Network” stations, assisted by 250,000 volunteers across the country. Some 40 million people will see the show.
In 1998, the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon made history as the first telethon seen around the world via Internet simulcast.
The Telethon derives drama from the ever-increasing fundraising total posted on the “tote board” – operated originally by hand in 1966, now electronically. Jerry’s goal of raising “one dollar more” than the previous year’s total has been more than met almost every year, thanks to the generosity and compassion of the American public. Last year’s total was $65 million.
Where Telethon Dollars Go
The Telethon is the single most important fund-raising event of the year for MDA. Funds raised help the Association carry on its fight against muscular dystrophy and related diseases, including a worldwide program of basic and applied research, a nationwide network of comprehensive medical and support services, and extensive professional and public education.
Children and adults with muscle diseases benefit directly from dollars raised during the Telethon through such services as:
- Specialized care at 220 MDA clinics and 35 MDA/ALS centers;
- free flu vaccinations;
- assistance with the purchase and repair of wheelchairs, leg braces and assistive communication devices;
- support groups for individuals and family members;
- MDA summer camp sessions for thousands of children; and
- ongoing public education and up-to-date information.
Research Advances
This year, MDA has allocated more than $42 million for research, funding more than 300 projects worldwide. MDA-funded scientists are making progress in understanding disease mechanisms, as well as testing promising treatments.In 2009, MDA-supported researchers have:
- completed a pilot trial of gene therapy in people with limb-girdle muscular dystrophy and found it was not only safe but showed promise of effectiveness
- identified stem cells that develop into specialized muscle-repair cells
- found a gene-repair strategy called "exon skipping" successfully treated dogs with muscular dystrophy when administered systemically
- seen their laboratory efforts to develop exon skipping bear fruit as the technique moves into systemic testing in people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, the most common childhood form of muscular dystrophy
- identified abnormally leaky barriers between the bloodstream and the spinal cord as a possible factor in ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease)
- found that a protein called utrophin, which can substitute for the protein missing in the most common childhood muscular dystrophy, can significantly help mice with a similar disease when given as an injection
- found a drug called doxycycline, normally used as an antibiotic to fight infections, increased survival time and delayed the onset of paralysis in mice with a form of congenital muscular dystrophy
Celebrity Support
MDA is blessed to have the support of a spectacular array of stars – entertainers, athletes and leaders in business, government and civic affairs – who participate in the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon and other MDA activities.
Among those on MDA’s Board are singer and Telethon favorite Maureen McGovern and Olympic gold medalist Bart Conner, also a frequent Telethon co-host.
Other notables serve as MDA vice presidents, including Jann Carl of “Entertainment Tonight;” Alison Sweeney of “The Biggest Loser” and “Days of Our Lives;” Nancy O’Dell of “Access Hollywood;” sports great Nadia Comaneci; and entertainers Tom Bergeron and Tony Orlando; and “American Idol” favorite Ace Young.
And, of course, there’s MDA’s number-one volunteer for more than 50 years. Despite battling debilitating illness, severe back pain and heart surgery in recent years, MDA National Chairman Jerry Lewis has never missed a Telethon.
Corporate and Community Involvement
Many organizations and businesses support MDA through fundraising events year-round. From the high school marketing club DECA and the International Association of Fire Fighters, to such corporate friends as Harley-Davidson Motor Co. and CITGO, representatives from MDA’s sponsors appear each year on the Telethon to present Jerry with their contributions.MDA and its Telethon also depend on the solid support of a network of some 2 million volunteers nationwide.
For information on how to help MDA as a volunteer or sponsor, call (800) 572-1717. To learn about MDA online, visit MDA’s Web site at www.mda.org. You also can visit MDA’s site devoted exclusively to ALS at www.als-mda.org, or its Spanish-language site at www.mdaenespanol.org.
Dolly Parton - jamie reid header - check
Dolly Parton
Working 9 to 5 or 12 to 12?
April 14th, 2009
4.14.09
Hey everybody,
Lots of things going on in my world since we last talked. I feel like one of those little dust devils that spins in the wind on a hot day. (Ha!)
At this moment I'm in New York at the Marriott Marquis Theater where we are already in previews for "9 to 5: The Musical." The buzz about the show is really good. We're selling out every show and we haven't even officially opened yet. The big night, of course, is April 30th. We'll have lots of stars coming to walk the red carpet and to see the show. That should be fun.
I'm loving hanging out with all the folks involved in the show. I threw a party for everybody at a restaurant called Vynl. They have a bathroom named after me where they have pictures of me, memorabilia on the walls and they play my music while you pee. (Ha!) I guess I should be flattered; but I keep wondering if it means they think my career is in the toilet... I hope not.
We go to work every day around Noon and work until midnight or so. We fall in bed, then get up and do it all over again trying to get it perfect. But I am really enjoying living in my new apartment. I have a great view of the city.
Every night after the show everybody signs autographs outside the stage door. That always draws a big crowd there as they're loving the cast. We're still doing little improvements on the show, as I said, trying to get it perfect before opening night. I've had lots of family and friends come from Nashville every weekend to see it. They all seem to love it.
I'm looking forward to recording the soundtrack album the first week of May with the cast.
I'm planning to do a few more TV shows while I'm in New York... David Letterman, The View and The Today Show. Hopefully the cast will sing some songs from the play on a couple of those shows, which should be fun.
I'm also very excited and pleased that the "Backwoods Barbie" video has been so well received and that the "Backwoods Barbie Collectors Edition" at Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores is selling so well. The same with the Collectors Edition of the Photo Album and the pink rocking chairs. Guess you can say I'm rockin' right along. (Ha!)
We had a great opening at Dollywood. I'm excited to receive my honorary doctorate from UT on May 8th and to see the opening of Sha-Kon-O-Hey on May 9th. I'll ride in Pigeon Forge parade on May 8th. Pray for nice weather. I'd hate to have it rain on our parade.
Gotta get back to work. We will talk more later.
I will always love you,
Dolly