Broadway musical version of ’9 to 5’ set to close after disappointing four-month run

Photo by Bebeto Matthews/Associated Press

Dolly Parton, left, is shown with actress Megan Hilty and actress Allison Janney, during a news conference for the musical "9 To 5" in New York in this 2008 photo.

Photo by Bebeto Matthews/Associated Press

Dolly Parton, left, is shown with actress Megan Hilty and actress Allison Janney, during a news conference for the musical "9 To 5" in New York in this 2008 photo.

NEW YORK — Goodbye, Dolly.

“9 to 5: The Musical,” the Broadway show that features a score by country superstar Dolly Parton, will close Labor Day weekend after a disappointing four-month run, its producers announced Wednesday.

The musical will have played 148 performances when it closes Sept. 6 at the Marquis Theatre.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better experience on my first Broadway show,” Parton said. “I’ve had the privilege of working with an amazing group of people who have become like family to me.”

A national tour is expected to start in September 2010 at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center in Nashville.

“9 to 5” is based on the 1980 film and stars Allison Janney, Stephanie J. Block and Megan Hilty as three female office workers who plot against their sexist boss, played by Marc Kudisch. Parton, Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda and Dabney Coleman were featured in the movie.

The stage adaptation, directed by Joe Mantello, opened to generally downbeat reviews in April and was snubbed for a best-musical Tony nomination the following month, although Parton’s score was nominated as was Janney.

The show’s weekly grosses have drifted downward during the prime summer tourist season, usually a good time for musicals. Last week, for example, “9 to 5” grossed $694,650, less than 50 percent of the gross potential at the Marquis.

“9 to 5” most likely will lose most of its production costs, which have not been disclosed by its producers. But the show is big: four principal actors plus a supporting cast of 26 and nearly two dozen scene changes. These days, musicals of similar scope and size usually cost between $12 million and $15 million to mount.

Yet Parton was optimistic about the future of “9 to 5.”

“I can’t wait for this show to hit the road so people across the country can see why I’m so proud of everyone involved,” she said. “And I’m so pleased that we’ll be opening the tour in Nashville. Great things happen in Nashville.”

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