9 to 5 Opening Night - L.A. & Reviews — Page 3

Judging from the clips I've seen, the show looks like it's in great shape.

I just hope that when bringing it to New York they don't follow the trend of many screen-to-stage adaptations and stream-line the show too much so that it doesn't stand out on its own and ends up being just a pale imitation of the film.

---

Here's a story about opening night from EW.com:

http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2008/09/the-broadway-bo.html

Talks about how a controversial line right before curtain call had to be changed in previews, as well as another description of Dolly's impromptu performance.

LA Times Review is Mixed

Very positive about the Megan Hilty, Stephanie Block and Allison Janney (not so postive about Marc Kudish), also notes problems with the book.

"...Not since "Wicked," the cheeky prequel to "The Wizard of Oz," has a show overflowed with so much musical-comedy promise. But this Broadway-bound production, which had its world premiere Saturday at the Ahmanson Theatre, has only occasional success in switching on the old fluorescent-lit office magic...

"Once again for a newly minted musical, the storytelling proves to be the major flaw. Not that the material, which is set in the Carter era (as William Ivey Long's costumes never let you forget), seems dated. The problem is that Resnick hasn't figured out how to stay true to the film's commercially packaged radicalism while bouncing between gag-ridden spoof and sentimental songs..."

LA Times Review - 9/23/2008

byron, you're one to talk about "name dropping." Thats all you ever do,,,,,,,,,,you're such a nelly queen. There is clearly something wrong with u.

Loved the EW article...

Did they refer to Megan Hilty as [Megan] Hilton?

"Fonda maveled to Broadway star-in-the-making Megan Hilty, on her vocal resemblance to Parton. “This is surreal,” Hilton kept repeating"

So LA...

I saw the show last night. I think it's about 85% ready for Broadway- some trimming is in order (fantasy scenes, Mundania song) and some book changes (Allison Janney love subplot for example) but overall the show is a big fat hit.

Yes, the show will inevitably get mixed reviews in New York but intended audiences (women and gay men) will love it. This is exactly the kind of entertainment that we need on Broadway right now- light, funny and glitzy. For once a ticket buyer can see what his money is going into- a superb cast (leads and supporting), a top-notch 15 piece band (conducted by Stephen Oremus), clever choreography and beautiful/complex set design which should be a shoo-in for a Tony.

To quote a line from another musical, This show definitely "give(s) them the old razzle-dazzle" in spades.

---