9 to 5 Tour plus upcoming tours of other shows...

I know that 9 to 5 toured last season but I was wondering if it was going to hit some of the smaller venues?? I live in Virginia and its not always that easy to make it to NYC or a bigger city to see a show so I rely on seeing 2nd string tours, non equity, etc. Also heard announcements that several shows have tours planned....Wonderland (really want to see it even though the reviews were bad) and Warhorse. Was wondering if Catch Me If You Can will tour??

I'm surprised! I would have thought 9-5 would be successful cross country. Guess they all decided to rent the movie.

"I'm surprised! I would have thought 9-5 would be successful cross country."

Closing dates for tours are no longer a reflection of how successful the tour has been. When a tour goes out on the new "Short Engagement Tour Contract" the closing date is set in the contract. If the tour goes beyond an exact time period the tour no longer qualifies for the lower salaries of the contract. To extend a tour beyond the expiration of the contracts would require backpay for the higher salaries and benefits they should have been paying in the first place.

Producers would rather have a full union production originate a tour and make that profit and press based off the sweat and talent of union members. Then they start to organize the non-union tour trading off the press and publicity given the show based on the talent of the original union company. They pay the new non-union company less in wages and salary, yet they sell the tickets at the same prices. They reduce the set and costumes to fit in less trucks to reduce the overhead even further. They count on the public being none the wiser to reduction in quality.

Check out the upcoming non-union Rock of Ages tour or even the ongoing non-union blowup set of Cats and see what I mean. Lower quality, lower salaries and benefits, and the same high ticket price. Yet, the media and general public think it's the same show that got all the attention and press and praise as the original union "Broadway" production.

In the old days, Broadway was a standard of quality, not a generic description of any theatrical production.

Compared to the Broadway show, the touring show was awful. I felt what worked on Broadway was completely gone. Its a great show but i felt it was incredibly boring when i saw it on tour...It was the first show i have ever left at intermission from.

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Personally I don't have a problem with non-Equity tours playing smaller cities that can't host an Equity tour because it allows people to see the show and gives actors a chance to work. But I do have a problem with non-Equity tours playing in larger cities such as Boston, St. Louis, Ft. Lauderdale etc. as part of a season with Equity productions.

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I saw the 9 to 5 tour this week and it was a ton of fun. The three ladies (Dee Hoty, Mamie Parris and Diana DeGarmo) are a great combination and were perfect for their roles.

I noticed the Fireside Dinner Theatre in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin will be doing 9 TO 5 next spring. Maybe the musical will not have a smaller tour. I know the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire, Illinois was also considering it for their 2012 season.

By the way, I saw Tari Kelly (Sutton Foster's understudy in Broadway's ANYTHING GOES) do a magnificent Princess Winnifred in ONCE UPON A MATTRESS at the Fireside years ago. If I had several million dollars to spend, I would produce a revival of MATTRESS with Tari. She's more than ready for a big, Broadway leading role!

The 9 to 5 tour was several notches below the Broadway production and from what I have heard it did not sell well in many markets.

I know many felt the production was poorly produced and the Dolly narration felt tacky, dumbed downed and theme parky.

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Diana was miscast. Way too young and played the part of Doralee really campy and tacky, like a caricature. She had none of the heart of Meg Hilty. I think she was brought on to be a "name" and braw younger crowds but she did neither.

Right now in Toronto they are selling all seats for $29. The show is bleeding money.

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Different strokes. I found Diana to be a wonderful Doralee, much to my pleasant surprise. Dee and Mamie were wonderful as well. I'm anxious to see what Diana and Mamie do next.

I have no idea whether or not the tour is bleeding money but the attendance was very good at the show I attended and the audience seemed to have a great time.

As much as I despise Wicked, I would see it for Mamie Paris.

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