9to5, in essence, should tour.
I thought 9to5 was excellent. It was really entertaining, had a tuneful Tony-nominated score, and any copying/recreating of the movie it's based on looked like a playful homage to it, not anything slavish.
How else to tell the story with the great dialogue people liked and related to (with the original)? The changes were cute and certainly didn't kill the show. Didn't like the movie, you say? Then yeah, you probably didn't/won't like the musical. Fine, but seriously, it wasn't crap. But I do believe overall that the show is or was a production for people who like musicals, you know? Meaning, how average Joe Blow goes to Mamma Mia!, Phantom, or now Wicked and Rock of Ages. Yeah, maybe sees a few more. Then BAM, they're the voice on boards like these and then on the streets or whatever. They're not all completely right, not all the time ... and this is just about me but I hope message boards don't get worse than they are today with overshadowing bitterness and jaded influences (anywhere on the internet). Many people also LOVED this show.
I guess I tend to lend an ear to those who actually know a show got Drama Desk noms too. An opinion based on more interest in theatre thriving and succeeding generally has more truth to it. Not that everyone here who didn't care for 9to5 had no merit, but I think most will get what I'm trying to say.
Some haters of 9to5 are vocal, but hey! I thought it was a great cast, all around. Again, I thought the casting complimented on the movie. The 3 ladies, Allison, Megan, Stephanie, (respectively) added a lot of beauty and humor to the stage version's roles. I thought they told a great story through their specific acting choices, and yes through song too. It worked for me. I saw a very clean and electric performance in August.
I didn't think 9to5 the musical was too close to the movie and therefore failed. I didn't/don't think it closed because it wasn't good enough.
It didn't catch on in NY because, well honestly, I think it was lack of a Best Musical Tony Award nomination that really hurt it. It's not possible for every new Broadway musical to last, and that's it. It's how it is and 9to5 didn't get a full performance on the telecast. Well, like that really cool Tony clip from that show theatre people and people beyond theatre spheres have to watch and share.
The opportunity for real good exposure was lost. Add to that 'major' lukewarm reviews helping unpopularity sales wise, and it's gone too soon. Not enough marketing, hype, and draw after a lackluster opening ultimately killed it from what I saw. Dolly closed and recouped what she could with Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede in Orlando, FL last year when the attraction started to feel effects of poor business (not to mention the economy). She's not a fool. I'm sure that the giant technical aspect of 9to5, the set, added to decisions about the final fate of the show on Broadway too.
So I hope it tours and I love the idea of it getting a chance to be on the Tony's again in the future (if they're still going to go in the direction of showcasing more national tours on the Tony telecast). Is there anything I didn't like about it? Yes. I didn't like the choreography when it didn't seem to fit the time period enough in too many numbers. The style of the dancing seemed off to me too many times.
Too long. I love you all, sorry for not cutting this, and if anybody gets on me about typing 9to5 not 9 to 5 so help me God.
And I really think 9to5 is a better show than The Wedding Singer. Sorry, WedSingheads (not that you are, CapnHook).
Updated On: 11/30/09 at 03:18 AM
