9 to 5 Sets Its World Stage Premiere

Dolly Parton's stage version of 9 to 5, the 1980 film in which she starred with Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, has found a home.

The show, which has a score by Parton and a book by Patricia Resnick, will have its world premiere in September at the Center Theatre Group's Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles. It opens September 21, 2008, according to CTG's artistic director Michael Ritchie. Preview performances begin September 3 for a run through October 19, 2008.

The musical will star Allison Janney in the Tomlin role, Stephanie Block in Fonda's part, and Megan Hilty in Parton's role as a sexy executive secretary.

The plot concerns three office workers who plot against their sexist boss, who will be played by Marc Kudisch. The musical will be directed by Joe Mantello, the director of Wicked and the current Broadway revival of Terrence McNally's The Ritz.

''I will say this about Dolly Parton -- she is unbelievable in her [theater] skills,'' Ritchie said Thursday in a telephone interview. ''She really understands the Broadway idiom. It's this great mix between her own personal style and sort of a classic Broadway show. The score sounds great.''

No word yet on whether the production will transfer from Los Angeles to Broadway, but Ritchie said, ''It has the potential.'' (AP)