I love the movie 9 to 5. I remember going to see it at the theater with my parents when it opened in 1980. We loved it so much that we scooped up the grandmothers and went to see it again.
In case you never saw it, 9 to 5 was about three women (Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda, and Lily Tomlin) who were struggling with a 9 to 5 job that came with a chauvinist, self-centered boss who intended to keep the in their place.
Now, 9 to 5 is going to be a Broadway show. The producers announced that the show will featured music and lyrics by Dolly Parton. In addition, “9 to 5: The Musical” will feature 20 new songs. Appearing in the play will be “The West Wing” star Allison Janney, Stephanie J. Block (who starred as Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West in “Wicked”), Megan Hilty (who starred as Glenda in “Wicked”), and Marc Kudisch (who has appeared on Broadway in “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,” “Beauty and the Beast,” and “Thoroughly Modern Millie”). The show will open for a six-week engagement in Los Angeles later this year then on Broadway next year.
Of course, 9 to 5 is not the first movie to be adapted to the stage. The Producers was a 1968 film by Mel Brooks that was originally declined release because the it was said to have been in “bad taste.” It was finally released to a few theaters, but the reviews were mixed, despite the fact that Mel Brooks won an Oscar for Best Screenplay. But, when it was made into a Broadway play in 2001, it was a hit. It ran for six years (2,502 performances) and won 12 Tony Awards, beating the record number held for 37 years by “Hello, Dolly!”
Another movie turned into a Broadway musical was Legally Blonde. In fact, there is a reality show on MTV called “Legally Blonde – the Musical: The Search for Elle Woods.” Lara Bell Bundy has been playing Elle, but her last performance will be July 20, 2008, so the producers are looking for a new Elle. If you love the movie, check out the reality show – the new Elle has not been chosen yet, but it has been narrowed down to just a few girls.
Of course, there are many other movies that have been made into successful Broadway musicals – The Lion King and Hairspray come to mind. At least I think the movies came out before the musical. I get confused on stuff like Grease and The Rocky Horror Picture Show – which came first, the movie or the musical?
What is your favorite movie that has been turned into a musical?