New ‘9 to 5’ lives up to its billing

When applied to a new musical, the phrase “pre-Broadway” is sometimes wishful thinking -- but for the world premiere of “9 to 5, the Musical,” the Ahmanson Theatre’s 2008-09 season opener, it’s now official: The show, with book by Patricia Resnick based on the 1980 movie and featuring original music and lyrics by Dolly Parton, will open April 23, 2009, at Broadway’s Marriott Marquis Theatre.

Last August, Parton said in an in-studio interview on L.A. radio station KKGO-FM (105.1) that the musical, produced by Robert Greenblatt, would open on Broadway in spring 2009, but no date or theater had been set.

Details of the Broadway opening were announced Tuesday to the show’s cast and crew in New York, where “9 to 5” has begun rehearsals for its Sept. 21-Oct. 19 run in Los Angeles. Both the L.A. and Broadway productions will be directed by Joe Mantello (“Wicked,” “Assassins”) and will feature Allison Janney, “Wicked” veterans Stephanie J. Block and Megan Hilty, and Marc Kudisch in the lead roles.

-- Diane Haithman