9 to 5 Will Play the Marquis

Add another definite contender to the 2008-2009 Broadway musical season. (I think I may need to redo the upcoming-musical poll to the right.) The new tuner 9 to 5 has just booked the architecturally bland but highly visible Marquis Theater, recent landlord to the departed Cry-Baby, and possible temporary home to a proposed seasonal Broadway run for White Christmas.

After playing an out-of-town tryout at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles (September  3rd through October 19th), 9 to 5 will begin previews at the Marquis in March 2009 toward an April opening.The very busy Joe Mantello (the upcoming Roundabout Pal Joey) will direct, and recent Tony winner Andy Blankenbuehler will choreograph. The score by Dolly Parton will including her Oscar-nominated title song.

The show has already amassed a terrific slate of principle performers, including Allison Janney as Violet, Stephanie J. Block as Judy, Megan Hilty as Doralee, and Marc Kudisch as Mr. Hart. The recently announced ensemble will include Andy Karl (Mr. Orfeh) Justin Bohon (My Fair Lady tour), Ann Harada (Christmas Eve in Avenue Q), Lisa Howard (Miss Peretti in Spelling Bee), and Michael X. Martin (the stage manager in Curtains).

Yeah, yeah, yeah: It's another movie-turned-musical. But is that really such a bad thing? I mean, inherently? Do we complain when people adapt classic books into musicals? (Perhaps after the fact, we do. Frankenstein, anyone?) And can't musicals from "original" ideas (In My Life, Glory Days) suck just as much as some poorly crafted film-based tuner (Urban Cowboy, High Fidelity)? For the most part, I like to consider each project individually, and wait until I see how the creative staff execute the final show.

Except Dirty Dancing. Yeah, I'm going to see it, but I'm not even going to pretend that I'll enter the theater with an open mind. That mother is guilty until proven innocent.