Dolly's "9 to 5" Gets Closer to Broadway Debut

7/23/2007 Stephen L. Betts The New York Post reports that some great buzz was generated from last week's very hush-hush staged reading of 9 to 5, a musical based on the popular 1980 movie about three secretaries who stick it to their boss. Theater execs who attended the presentation were "impressed with Dolly Parton's upbeat and witty score, which includes the famous title song." The Post cites an insider who says the score includes "signature Dolly songs that also work as musical theater songs," adding,"the show feels like a real Broadway musical, not one of those movies like The Wedding Singer where you just shove the songs into the screenplay." The book is by Dolly's friend Patricia Resnick, who wrote the movie (and also wrote the screenplay to Dolly's 1992 film, Straight Talk). Dolly was reportedly at the reading, standing at the back of the rehearsal hall, singing along with her songs. Production sources say that when the director lets her know a musical number doesn't work, "she tosses it out and goes right back to the keyboard." No word yet on when the musical will make its debut.