Producers John Frost and Suzanne Jones are delighted to announce that "9 to 5 THE MUSICAL" is partnering with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to bring the joy of reading to children in need across Australia.
As the official charity partner of the musical production, '9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL' will host a charity performance on Thursday, June 18 at 7:30 PM with the proceeds from 500 ticket sales going directly to the Imagination Library. These funds, plus other fundraising initiatives on the night, will assist the Imagination Library to bring the gift of reading to children all around the country. Dolly Parton said,
“I am thrilled to announce that "9 to 5 The Musical" will be raising funds for a foundation I started 24 years ago and is very close to my heart, The Imagination Library. The program sends out over one million free books each month to children all around the world - I guess that’s why they call me the book lady!”
Producer Suzanne Jones said, “We are thrilled to be collaborating with Imagination Library as our chosen official charity partner on 9 to 5 The Musical. Dolly Parton herself established this charity initiative in the US as a tribute to her father who never learned to read. Her aim was to inspire all children to love to read, and we are looking forward to helping her accomplish that mission here in Australia.”
Clayton Noble, Chief Executive of United Way Australia, said, “We are very excited to be hosting a special charity performance on Thursday, June 18 with proceeds from the ticket sales to go towards supporting families and carers involved in the Imagination Library, and providing the gift of a book each month to children aged 0-5 in many communities across Australia.”
IMAGINATION LIBRARY CHARITY PERFORMANCE
Venue: Sydney Lyric Theatre, The Star
Date: Thursday, June 18, 7.30 PM
Prices: $79.90 (Transaction fees apply)
Book Tickets
* Performance times vary weekly
** Transaction fees apply
London’s West End smash-hit "9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL" will premiere at the Sydney Lyric Theatre next month on April 19, 2020, followed by a season at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne starting July 25, 2020. Eddie Perfect, one of Australia’s leading television and musical theatre stars, will play the egotistical boss Franklin Hart Jnr. Producers John Frost, Suzanne Jones and Ambassador Theatre Group Productions announced the addition of Eddie Perfect on Feb. 29, 2020.
“We’re thrilled that Eddie has accepted our challenge to return to Australia to play this wonderfully self-centred, chauvinist character after living in New York for a few years,” said the producers. “As well as being a fantastic comic and composer, Eddie is a much-loved musical theatre performer, and will be fantastic in 9 TO 5 alongside Caroline, Marina, Samantha, Erin and the wonderful ensemble.”
"9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL" in Australia also stars Caroline O’Connor, Marina Prior, Samantha Dodemaide and Erin Clare. This run-away success on the West End features a book by the iconic movie’s original screenwriter Patricia Resnick and an Oscar, Grammy and Tony award-nominated score by the Queen of Country herself, Dolly Parton, including her much-loved hit song, "9 to 5!"
Also in the cast are Ana Maria Belo, Amy Berrisford, Zoe Coppinger, Mia Dabkowski-Chandler, Josh Gates, Ben Gillespie, Emma Hawthorne, Matthew Jenson, Jay Johns, Ethan Jones, Ariana Mazzeo, Joe Meldrum, Jordanna Morandin, Josh Mulheran, Tom New, Matthew Prime, Melissa Russo and Glaston Toft.
"9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL" opened at London’s Savoy Theatre in January last year, initially for a 16 week season and surpassed all audience expectations. It has been extended multiple times and is now selling until April. Perhaps a whole new generation of Dolly fans are treating themselves to a fun night out on the West End!
Get "9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL" Tickets
Dolly Parton is delighted to announce that David Hasselhoff will play Franklin Hart Jr. in "9 To 5 The Musical" at The Savoy Theatre from December 2, 2019 until February 8, 2020. David will join Caroline Sheen as Violet Newstead, Chelsea Halfpenny as Judy Bernly, Natalie McQueen as Doralee Rhodes and Bonnie Langford as Roz Keith. Dolly Parton said,
"I am so pleased that David is joining our show. He will be a terrific addition to an already amazing cast, the audiences are going to love him just as much as I do! Get ready to be Hassled Hoff!"
David Hasselhoff’s TV credits include playing Mitch Buchannon in Baywatch, Michael Knight in Knight Rider and two series of the International Emmy award-winning Hoff the Record. In 2000 he made his Broadway debut in the musical Jekyll & Hyde. David Hasselhoff said,
"I went to see the show back in June and I thought it was ‘Hofftastic’. That’s when I knew I wanted to be part of it. Franklin Hart Jr. is going to be a fun part for me to play and I’m looking forward to being back on stage in the UK."
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From December 2, 2019, the cast of "9 To 5: The Musical" is completed by Victoria Anderson, Alexander Bartles, Simon Campbell, Alexander Day, Rhiane Drummond, Demmileigh Foster, Molly-May Gardiner, Llandyll Gove, Ben Irish, Jenny Legg, Natasha Mould, Sean Needham, Jon Reynolds, James Royden-Lyley, Giles Surridge, Antoine Thomas-Sturge, Sasha Wareham and Emily Woodford.
"9 To 5: The Musical" opened in the West End in February, where Dolly Parton attended the premiere and joined the cast on stage at the finale. The musical features a book by Patricia Resnick, the legendary film’s original screenwriter, and an original Oscar, Grammy and Tony award-nominated score by multi Grammy Award winner, country legend and pop icon Dolly Parton.
The musical is written by Patricia Resnick, with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton. It is directed by Jeff Calhoun, choreography by Lisa Stevens, design by Tom Rogers, lighting design by Howard Hudson, sound design by Poti Martin, video design by Nina Dunn, original arrangements by Stephen Oremus & Alex Lacamoire, original Broadway orchestrations by Bruce Coughlin, musical supervisor, reductions & extra arrangements by Mark Crossland, musical direction by Andrew Hilton and casting by Victoria Roe and Anne Vosser.
Based on the 20th Century Fox Picture. Originally produced on Broadway by Robert Greenblatt, April 2009.
"9 To 5: The Musical" is produced by Ambassador Theatre Group Productions, Selladoor Worldwide and Gavin Kalin Productions with Benjamin Lowy Productions, Glass Half Full Productions, Showtime Theatre Productions, Hartshorn – Hook Productions, Harmonia Holdings and Kilimanjaro Live.
Dolly Parton is delighted to present 9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL at the Savoy Theatre, London for a strictly limited season from 28 January – 31 August 2019 starring Louise Redknapp as Violet Newstead, Amber Davies as Judy Bernly, Natalie McQueen as Doralee Rhodes and Brian Conley as Franklin Hart. Tickets will go on sale on Tuesday 18 September at 12.00noon.
Featuring an original Oscar, Grammy and Tony award-nominated score by country legend and pop icon Dolly Parton. 9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL tells the story of Doralee, Violet and Judy - three workmates pushed to boiling point by their sexist and egotistical boss. Concocting a plan to kidnap and turn the tables on their despicable supervisor, will the girls manage to reform their office - or will events unravel when the CEO pays an unexpected visit? Inspired by the cult film this hilarious new West End production is about teaming up, standing up and taking care of business!
Louise Redknapp most recently starred as ‘Sally Bowles’ in the national tour of “Cabaret”. In 2016 she reached the final of “Strictly Come Dancing”. As a musician Louise has sold millions of records. She was a member of the band Eternal before embarking on a highly successful solo career, with her first live shows in 15 years selling out all over the UK. Amber Davies graduated in 2016 with a Diploma in Musical Theatre from the Urdang Academy. Her credits whilst training include “Bring It On”, “My Favourite Year” and “Memphis”. Last year, Amber was the winner of the hit ITV reality series “Love Island”. Natalie McQueen is currently appearing in the West End as ‘Lauren’ in “Kinky Boots” at the Adelphi Theatre. Her other credits include “Murder Ballad” at the Arts Theatre, “Wicked” at the Apollo Victoria and “Les Misérables” at the Palace Theatre. Natalie has also appeared in the UK and Ireland tour of “Wonderland”. Brian Conley’s many West End credits include ‘Edna Turnblad’ in “Hairspray” at the Shaftesbury Theatre, ‘Caractacus Potts’ in “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” at the London Palladium, the title role in “Jolson” at the Victoria Palace and ‘Bill’ in “Me and My Girl” at the Adelphi Theatre. His touring credits include the title role in “Barnum” and ‘Fagin’ in “Oliver!”. Brian’s TV credits include “An Audience with Brian Conley”, “The Grimleys” and “The Brian Conley Show”, all for ITV.
9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL is written by Patricia Resnick, with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton. It is directed by Jeff Calhoun, choreography by Lisa Stevens, set and costume design by Tom Rogers, lighting design by Howard Hudson, musical supervision, arrangements and orchestrations by Mark Crossland, musical direction by Andrew Hilton and casting by Victoria Roe.
9 to 5: The Musical Original Broadcast Cast Recording is planned for re-release via Dolly Records/Sony Music.
Update (Aug. 19, 2015): It’s official, "Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors" is set to air on NBC, Thursday, Dec. 10, from 9-11 PM!
Update (May 11, 2015): NBC confirms first in series of made-for-TV movies will be "Coat of Many Colors."
Read more about the movie on NBC.
In early January 2015, Dolly and NBC announced their joint plans to make a collection of two-hour television movies based on Dolly's life and songs. Not only will Dolly produce the films, she will also reunite with Bob Greenblatt on the project. She remarked,
"I am so excited to be involved with my friend Bob Greenblatt, who produced the Broadway version of '9 to 5: The Musical' with me, and my longtime friend and former agent Sam Haskell. We want to create projects for NBC that are both fun and inspirational with a family audience in mind."
The network noted the films will incorporate Dolly's always-present positive outlook on life which has inspired her fans and those around her. In a release, NBC Entertainment chairman, Robert Greenblatt said,
"I don't know anyone in the world who doesn't love Dolly Parton, and the idea of developing television movies inspired by her incredible life and the stories she has sung about for decades is exciting to all of us at NBC."
Dolly wrote many of her hit songs based on personal experiences from her childhood and from other times in her life. Songs like "Coat of Many Colors," "My Tennessee Mountain Home" and "I Will Always Love You" were inspired by real events. Through these songs and many others, Dolly builds strong emotional connections with her fans. Now these beloved stories are set to play out on the small screen for loyal fans and new audiences alike.
