9 to 5 Delays First L.A. Preview to September 9

The new musical 9 to 5, based on the film of the same name, has once again delayed its first preview at Los Angeles’ Ahmanson Theatre. The first performance will now be September 9, and the opening date of September 20 remains the same, as does the closing date of October 19.

A statement to the press reports that the performances “have been cancelled because the size and scope of the new musical necessitate further technical rehearsals.” The production has also added a preview performances on Sunday, September 14 at 1 p.m. and a performance on the closing date of October 19 at 6:30 p.m.

Based on the 1980 film of the same name about a trio of office workers who turn their tables on their sexist and egotistical boss, the show will feature a book by Patricia Resnick, co-author of the film’s screenplay, and a score by Grammy Award winner Dolly Parton, who penned the film’s hit title song. The production, directed by Joe Mantello, with choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler, is scheduled to play Broadway’s Marquis Theatre, with previews beginning March 24, and an opening date set for April 23.

As previously announced, the show stars Stephanie J. Block, Megan Hilty, Marc Kudisch, and Allison Janney. The cast will also include Andy Karl, Kathy Fitzgerald, Ioana Alfonso, Timothy Anderson, Jennifer Balagna, Justin Bohon, Paul Castree, Daniel Cooney, Jeremy Davis, Gaelen Gilliland, Autumn Guzzardi, Ann Harada, Lisa Howard, Van Hughes, Kevin Kern, Brendan King, Michael X. Martin, Michael Mindlin, Karen Murphy, Mark Myars, Jessica Lea Patty, Charlie Pollock, Tory Ross, Wayne Schroder, Maia Nkenge Wilson, and Brandi Wooten.

The creative team will also include Scott Pask (sets), William Ivey Long (costumes), Jules Fisher and Peggy Eisenhauer (lighting), John Shivers (sound), and Stephen Oremus (musical supervision)

Block, who will play Judy, has starred in the Broadway productions of Wicked, The Pirate Queen and The Boy from Oz. Hilty, who will play Doralee, is best known for her work as Glinda in Wicked. Kudisch, who will play Franklin Hart, Jr., has starred on Broadway in The Apple Tree, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Assassins, and Thoroughly Modern Millie. Janney, who will play Violet, has starred on Broadway in Present Laughter and A View from the Bridge and is a four-time Emmy Award winner for her work on NBC’s The West Wing.

Mantello is a two-time Tony Award winner for Assassins and Take Me Out. He is currently represented on Broadway by Wicked. Blankenbuehler won the Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics, and Lucille Lortel Awards for his choreography of In The Heights.