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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Dolly Proves She Can Write For Broadway", July 28, 2009
This review is from: 9 To 5: The Musical (Original Broadway Cast Recording) (Audio CD)
A great story with fantastic music, "9 to 5: The Musical" is based on the 1980 film "9 to 5" in which three secretaries get back at their egotistical boss with superb results. I was really surprised at how good the music is although I have always known Dolly Parton is an amazing songwriter. She was asked by the producers to write all the music and lyrics and what we have are 18 amazing show stopping songs. The only song that has a country feel to it is "Backwoods Barbie" (performed my Megan Hiltey) that Dolly had out last year. The other songs are pure Broadway and its great to hear the orchestra and musicians bringing life to these amazing songs. The vocals are also superb by the cast. The highlights are "Shine Like The Sun", "I Just Might", and "Get Out and Stay Out". I also love the new lines that Dolly has added to the song "9 to 5" and hearing it sung by the entire cast brings new life to it. Stephanie J. Block, Allison Janney, and Megan Hiltey have voices that were made for the stage and that is evident in these recordings. Dolly would receive a Tony nomination for Best Score for this work, but ultimately didn't win. Nevertheless, a great cast recording in which the songs and lyrics will haunt your mind for days to come.
Dolly has recorded "Change It" that will soon be her next single on I Tunes, and it will be added as a bonus track to the second pressing of this album.
This CD, which is available on Dolly Parton's own record label called Dolly Records, comes with a 24 page booklet that is very informative on both the Broadway show and cast album.
Sadly, "9 to 5-The Musical" closed on Broadway September 6th, 2009. However, it opens in Nashville, September, 2010, in a national tour with a different cast. Grammy nominated for Outstanding Broadway Cast Album.
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Uplifting Music, August 18, 2009
This review is from: 9 To 5: The Musical (Original Broadway Cast Recording) (Audio CD)
While I have seen a few Broadway shows through the years I will admit I do not see enough to compare this to many others, but what I can do is review this CD on the music alone. With every spin of this CD I like it more and more. The songs here are wonderful for the most part and will leave you wanting more. There are a few clunkers here. The 3 dream sequence songs (Dance o' Death, Cowgirls Revenge, and Potion Notion) are not Dolly's writing at its best. They are easily forgettable. However, the rest of the CD is so fantastic that it more than makes up for those. The best songs are the ones that are meant to uplift. The songs "I Just Might" & "Shine Like the Sun" & "Get Out and Stay Out" are excellent and will last forever if they can be heard by enough people. These songs are so well written & so uplifting. It's hard to find songs this inspirational in any genre. Although those 3 songs are the best highlights the rest of the CD does not disappoint. Other great songs include "Backwoods Barbie", the song that reflects Dolly herself, and has a great message of not being judgmental. Some songs are cleverly comical too including "Here for You". You may be a bit surprised that Dolly wrote that one. The added lyrics to "9 to 5" are also a special treat. Overall I would highly recommend this CD to anyone who has ever had a 40 hour job or anyone who needs to boost their mood a bit. There is a lot of variety in this CD with it excelling on the uplifting songs. This is a keeper.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dolly Made the Broadway CrossOver Very Well!, June 9, 2010
This review is from: 9 To 5: The Musical (Original Broadway Cast Recording) (Audio CD)
First - let me tell you I loved the movie when it originally came out and now on DVD with their special edition. And who doesn't remember tapping to the base-beat of Dolly's NUMBER ONE hit '9 to5'? Remember that familiar click click click click click of the old fashion typewriters with that piano base-beat to then culminate in that tiny little 'ding' of the old carage return typewriters?
Well...lets just say I am impressed with Dolly. Just when you thought she done it all - she does it more! She made the transition from screen to the Broadway stage magically. When you read the liner notes in the CD - (or read the original Theatre Program) you'll see that DOlly was shocked that anyone asked her to compose the songs for this concept of a film turned Broadway Musical. She never composed a Broadway show/musical before and had no idea what she was getting into.
So as she says in her own words - she sat watching the movie - sat with the original script in hand - and started to think "..when would a song need to be sung to move the story or explain the characters and whpo they are...". She did it!
I got to see the 'world premiere' in Los Angeles, CA before it actually went to Broadway - and it was amazing. Impressive 80's look and style and costumes with a set that rotated in cubicle configurations for every office scene. A great technical production with amazing visualizations of lighting and sets.
From the re-dressing and updating the original "9 to 5" song to the opening ensemble number "Around Here" - the music, song and characters will keeping to-tapping and laughing all at the same time - all the way through.
Dolly even squeezed in one of her own previously release songs "Backwwods Barbie" that is the perfect sentiment for the Doralee character she played in the original film. However all the girls get the their shinning numbers with each of their ever-famous 'dreams' of killing the Boss sequences - with "Dance O' Death", "Cowgirl's Revenge" and "Potion Notion"
Now the talent in this production - wow - Stephanie J. Block (as the Jane Fonda Character), Allison Janney (as the Lilly Tomlin character) and Megan Hilty (of WICKED Fame playing the Dolly Parton character) were three women who you just could hear (and see) that they were having a great time! The score itself was extremely complimentary to the songs and it was very updated in terms of the chops and beats and rythms.
Alison Janney singing "One Of The Boys" is one of my favorite songs - and who knew she was not only a talented and funny actress, but can she command a song and sparkle in dance as well. My other favorites songs include - "5 to 9", "Always a Woman", "Change It" and "Let Love Grow"
Overall a great Broadway score, Soundtrack and Musical. You should see it if you get the chance. The packaging and liner notes are very well worth the read and it is filled with pics of the original stage production too! You'll love it! A must for a modern collector of modern Broadway shows! 6-9-10
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