9 to 5: The Musical Closes at the Ordway July 17

The witty and hilarious comedy "9 to 5: The Musical" comes to Ordway Center for the Performing Arts for one-week-only July 12-17, concluding the theater's 2010-2011 Theater Season calendar. "9 to 5: The Musical" was nominated for four 2009 Tony Awards and received a record-breaking 15 Drama Desk nominations.

"9 to 5: The Musical" is an entertaining story of friendship and revenge in the Rolodex era. The storyline follows three unlikely co-workers, who become friends and conspire to take control of their company. Along the way, they learn there's nothing they can't do -- even in a man's world. Outrageous, thought-provoking and even a little romantic, "9 to 5: The Musical" is ultimately about standing up for what you believe in and trusting in yourself.

"‘9 to 5: The Musical' is a perfect hit production for the summertime," says Patricia A. Mitchell, Ordway's president and CEO. "Dolly Parton's music combined with excellent actors brings life to this big-hearted, crowd-pleaser of a musical."

On its first national tour straight from Broadway, "9 to 5: The Musical" is based on the hit movie "Nine to Five" and features Dolly Parton's original title song along with her new Tony Award- and Grammy-nominated score. Parton's Broadway debut has earned her successful accolades in the business such as The Daily News, which called her songs "fresh and original."

The book of "9 to 5: The Musical" is written by Patricia Resnick (co-writer of the original screenplay). This touring production creative team includes: Tony-nominated Jeff Calhoun as co-director and choreographer; Lisa Stevens as co-choreographer; Ken Foy as scenic designer; five-time Tony Award-winner William Ivey Long as costume designer; Tony Award- and Drama Desk Award-winner Ken Billington as lighting designer; Stephen Oremus as music supervisor; and casting by Telsey + Company.

Casting for the tour of "9 to 5: The Musical" includes Dee Hoty (Violet), who has starred on Broadway and earned herself three Tony nominations; Mamie Parris (Judy), whose credits include the Tony-nominated revival of "Ragtime" and the first national tour of "Legally Blonde the Musical;" Joseph Mahowald (Franklin Hart, Jr.), who has appeared in numerous Broadway roles and has been on all the New York soap operas; Kristine Zbornik (Roz), who is known for her Broadway work in "A Catered Affair;" and Diana DeGarmo (Doralee), who was an "American Idol" finalist on the third season of the hit TV show and boasts Broadway credits in shows such as "Hair," "Hairspray," and a national tour of "Brooklyn: The Musical."
Rounding out the cast are Randy Aaron, Ioana Alfonso, Brian Beach, Jane Blass, Paul Castree, Natalie Charles Ellis, Marjorie Failoni, Autumn Guzzardi, Lori Hammel, K.J. Hippensteel, Jesse J.P. Johnson, Michelle Marmolejo, Sean Montgomery, April Nixon, Ryah Nixon, Rick Pessagno, Mark Raumaker, Wayne Schroder, and Travis Waldschmidt.
Prior to the Wednesday, July 13 public performance, the Ordway will host an Ordway Extra titled "Reimagining the Workplace in Musicals" in the Ordway's Marzitelli Foyer at 6:30 p.m. and a post-show Talk Back. To learn more about pre- and post-show events, visit ordway.org/events.

Ordway Center for the Performing Arts
The Ordway is widely recognized as one of the nation's leading nonprofit performing arts centers and Saint Paul's most elegant and inviting performance space. The Ordway's Music Theater and McKnight stages attract diverse audiences with an array of productions showcasing the finest in American musical theater, world music, dance, and vocal performance. Education and community engagement are integral to the Ordway's mission, with major initiatives including the annual Flint Hills International Children's Festival and Ordway Education programs that serve more than 50,000 students annually. The Ordway also serves as authorizer for the Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists, a professionally guided academic and artistic environment that trains aspiring pre-professional performing artists. Together with The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Minnesota Opera and The Schubert Club, the Ordway is a member of the Arts Partnership and serves as the principal venue for their performances.

Performance Dates:
July 17 at 2 and 7:30 p.m.

Ordway Center for the Performing Arts
345 Washington Street
Saint Paul, MN 55102
Ordway's Music Theater

Tickets start at $36 including fees.

Ticket Office: 651.224.4222
Groups: 651.282.3111
ordway.org