2 reviews from recent tour stops (St. Louis and Tempe):
From St. Louis:
"9 to 5" was the country superstar's first movie role, and Dolly's been an appealing presence throughout her long career. But with her major involvement, the play skewers heavily in her favor. Her character Doralee, the boss's hubba-hubba secretary who the other gals don't like because they think she's the noxious Franklin Hart's mistress, sure is perky, dispensing down-home wisdom and a never-say-die attitude. Folks cotton to that. Diana DeGarmo, the "American Idol" Season 3 runner-up at age 16, is all grown up now at 23, looking nothing like she did seven years ago. She's still vivacious and has a terrific voice, but she has a va-va-voom, quality playing Dolly's comely character. She was a standout.
Mamie Parris is impressive as the meek Judy Bernly, as played by Jane Fonda in the movie, who needs a job because her scoundrel husband has dumped her for a younger woman (named Mindi with an "i"). Her big brassy solo number "Get Out and Stay Out" was perhaps the strongest on opening night."
From Tempe:
"Something must also be said for DeGarmo’s depiction of Dolly Parton’s famous role, Doralee Rhodes. Doralee grows as a character throughout the musical, but more importantly, DeGarmo did extraordinarily well holding on to the essence of Parton and staying away from the persona she developed on “American Idol.”
Everything was perfect for the part. She was proportional to Parton, her accent was just as sweet and Southern as Parton’s and her voice was fabulous for the role.
If you’re familiar with DeGarmo’s work, you might be able to pick up on her voice as it comes through when she sings some of the lower notes. Watching her in the role was fabulous — she wasn’t just an imitation of Parton; she owned the role in her own way."
http://ow.ly/43R3W Link to St, Louis review
