press release
Dolly Parton's 9 to 5 Musical Opens at the Ogunquit Playhouse August 22
For Immediate Release:
August 16, 2012
Two-time Emmy Award-winner Sally Struthers returns to the Ogunquit Playhouse for the premiere of Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5 the Musical, August 22 through September 15. 9 to 5, the Musical is based on the hit movie about three office workers who plan to get even with their egotistical, lying and hypocritical boss. When their plan spins wildly out of control the situation becomes hilarious and the laughter is non-stop. The show features the blockbuster title song plus a jubilant score by multiple Grammy Award winner Dolly Parton that mixes Broadway and pop with Dolly's irresistible style. This sharp witty musical adventure is perfect for anyone who ever wanted to string up their boss!
9 to 5 the Musical is adapted from the hit 1980 film, which stars Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. It is the 20th highest grossing comedy film of all time and has been named to the American Film Institute’s list of “100 Funniest Movies.” Dolly Parton’s title song, “9 to 5,” received two Grammy Awards, an Academy Award nomination and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Artists of America. The musical opened on Broadway in 2009 and was nominated for four Tony Awards, including Best Score and a record-breaking 15 Drama Desk Awards. The book is written by the film’s original screenwriter, Patricia Resnick, with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton. The original Broadway cast recording received a Grammy nomination. Since its Broadway run, 9 to 5, the Musical has toured nationally and will tour the UK later this year.
Sally Struthers returns to the Playhouse to play executive assistant and corporate snitch Roz Keith. Sally is best known for her comedic roles and is a highly acclaimed actress of stage, television and screen, winning two Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award for her performances in television’s groundbreaking series All in the Family. She starred in the Fox television series 9 to 5, her own CBS series Gloria and had recurring roles in the CBS comedy Still Standing and the CW’s highly acclaimed Gilmore Girls. Sally has performed many roles at Ogunquit Playhouse including, Louise Seger in Always Patsy Cline, Mama Morton in Chicago, and Paulette the hairdresser in Legally Blonde.
Edward Staudenmayer plays Franklin Hart, Jr., the egotistical and sexist boss. He was last seen on the Ogunquit stage in 2008 in Neil Sedaka’s Breaking Up is Hard to Do. Mr. Staudenmayer made his Broadway debut in Martin Short’s Fame Becomes Me and was the White Rabbit in the original Broadway production of Wonderland. Mr. Staudenmayer is known for his 17-year association with the Forbidden Broadway franchise. Playing Hart’s secretary Doralee Rhodes is Broadway’s Becky Gulsvig. Ms. Gulsvig is known to Ogunquit audiences for her reprisal of the role Elle Woods in last season’s Ogunquit production of Legally Blonde the Musical. Ms. Gulsvig played Elle in the 1st National Tour of Legally Blonde, for which she received a Helen Hayes Award nomination. She has appeared on Broadway as part of the original Legally Blonde cast and in Hairspray as Amber Von Tussle. Erica Aubrey will play office trainee Judy Bernly. Ms. Aubrey has appeared with Matthew Broderick, Barbara Cook, Patti Lupone and Sarah Jessica Parker in New York City Center’s “Encores!” series as well as in many Regional theatres throughout the U.S. Carrie McNulty makes her Ogunquit debut as senior office supervisor Violet Newstead. Ms. McNulty has appeared in many Regional theatre productions including, The Drowsy Chaperone, Chicago and Hello Dolly.
Director for the Ogunquit production of 9 to 5 the Musical is Keith Andrews. Mr. Andrews directed and choreographed Avenue Q in 2011 and The Full Monty with Sally Struthers and Hunter Foster in 2007 for the Ogunquit Playhouse. His many stage credits include the National Tours of The Full Monty and Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh, as well as productions for regional theatres across the U.S. Mr. Andrews has recently choreographed the world premiere of Love, Incorporated and has received an Innovative Theater Award for Best Production of a Musical and nomination for Best Choreography for his work on the new show- Like You Like It.
Broadway veteran Gerry McIntyre is the choreographer for the Ogunquit production. Mr. McIntyre’s long career, both on the stage and behind the scenes has included many Regional, Off-Broadway and Broadway productions, including Chicago, Once On This Island, Anything Goes and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Mr. McIntyre choreographed the critically acclaimed Ogunquit Playhouse production of Chicago in 2010.
Musical Director for 9 to 5 the Musical is Andrew Austin. Mr. Austin is a composer, pianist and conductor who has music directed almost 100 productions of operas and musicals across the country. As a composer, he has participated twice in the Golden Fleece Opera Company’s Square One Series in New York.
Conducting will be Ken Clifton, who has been the music director for many Ogunquit Playhouse productions including this season’s Always Patsy Cline and South Pacific, 2011’s critically acclaimed production of Miss Saigon and the award winning, The Music Man and in 2010 for Sunset Blvd. and Chicago. Ken is the resident music director for the Riverside Theatre in Vero Beach, Florida and in addition works as a vocal coach and composer/lyricist.
9 to 5 the Musical is a co-production with Long Island’s Gateway Playhouse. Individual ticket prices start at $39 per show. Purchase tickets and gift certificates online at www.ogunquitplayhouse.org, or through the Box Office at 207-646-5511.
The 80th Anniversary season rocks to a close with Buddy, The Buddy Holly Story on stage from September 19 – October 21. Follow the incredible journey of Buddy's meteoric rise to fame with such rousing fifties favorites as "Peggy Sue," "Oh Boy," "Maybe Baby," and "That'll Be the Day!"