Dolly Parton talks "9 to 5: The Musical," "Backwoods Barbie Collector's Edition"
Dolly Parton (Associated Press photo)
From Wednesday’s Life section of The Oklahoman.
Broadway meets “Backwoods Barbie”
Though she considers herself a “Backwoods Barbie,” Dolly Parton remains a forward-thinking entertainer and businesswoman who’s forging new territory after five decades in show biz.
Whether she’s releasing her own album, writing a children’s book or taking on Broadway, the multi-talented dynamo from Tennessee may be approaching her “Rockin’ Years,” as her 1991 hit goes, but she’s not ready to take a seat out of the spotlight just yet.
Instead, the singer/songwriter/actress, 63, keeps marching into new challenges: Parton will attend Thursday the Broadway opening of “9 to 5: The Musical,” for which she wrote the music and lyrics. The show has been in previews most of April, and after opening her Tennessee theme park Dollywood in late March, she traveled to New York City to follow the progress of her first Broadway project.
“I’ve worked all the way through. I’ve worked with all the casting, worked with Joe Mantello, the director; Patricia Resnick, that wrote the book (and co-wrote the film script); and Bob Greenblatt, the … producer. And so, we’ve all worked together trying to make sure that it was good. We’re very proud of it,” Parton said in a recent phone interview from Nashville, Tenn.
The musical is based on the 1980 hit movie starring Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Parton as three office workers who get the better of their “sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot” boss (Dabney Coleman). The comedy was Parton’s first foray into acting, and she was nominated for a Golden Globe for her performance and an Oscar for writing and singing the movie’s theme song.
Though the musical hasn’t yet celebrated its officially opening, it already has earned nominations for Parton. On Monday, “9 to 5″ was nominated for a record 15 Drama Desk Awards, including two for Parton, for outstanding music and lyrics. Even before the nominations, Parton said working on new songs for the beloved story was an exciting venture.
