DATE: DECEMBER 3, 2009
FROM: MARCEE RONDAN/MITCH SCHNEIDER/TODD BRODGINSKI
9 TO 5: THE MUSICAL’
NOMINATED FOR BEST MUSICAL SHOW ALBUM GRAMMY
The singer, songwriter and musician wrote all the words and music specifically for ‘9 to 5: The Musical.” It marked the first time the iconic music legend had ever written for a musical, which earned four Tony Award nominations and a record-setting 15 Drama Desk Awards (including “Outstanding Musical,” “Outstanding Music” and “Outstanding Lyrics”) as well as three Drama League Award nominations (including “Distinguished Production of a Musical”). The Original Broadway Cast Recording Of “9 To 5: The Musical features the song “Backwoods Barbie,” which was the title tune of DOLLY’s critically acclaimed top 10 CD Backwoods Barbie in 2008.
Here’s some critical praise for the music of “9 to 5: The Musical”:
"Dolly Parton’s songs for the show based on the 1980 movie are stamped with her characteristic blend of spunk and perkiness…"
".. a rollicking score by Dolly Parton"
“It shouldn't surprise anybody she's [Dolly] taken so well to the stage: She's always been a storyteller first and foremost. Her countrified pop, enhanced by fiddle and pedal-steel guitar, fits perfectly on Broadway. Of all the mainstream artists who've tried their hand at show music in the past few years, she may be the most convincing.”
“…she [Dolly] has a simple, direct way with lyrics and a beguiling sense of melody whether it's country twang, gospel, rhythm 'n' blues, power ballad or sentimental love song.”
“She has composed a set of songs, accompanied with her own lyrics that complement the original song. The greatest triumph of the night was that the film has been reinvented as a musical so successfully.”
“The country icon…has injected plenty of twang into the score. But there are also ballads that wouldn't be out of place in most contemporary, pop-influenced musicals and nods to Tin Pan Alley and '70s funk.”
“As composer-lyricist of the country-flavored pop score, Parton is a significant presence as well, not just in the evergreen title tune but particularly in a handful of new songs. The wry self-validation of ‘Backwoods Barbie,’ the delicate optimism of ‘I Just Might,’ the upbeat resilience of ‘Shine Like the Sun’ and take-charge attitude of ‘Change It’ all reveal the songwriter's authentic personality, and ‘9 to 5’ is at its most winning when these numbers focus attention squarely on the women battling for a fair deal in an unequal-opportunity environment.”
“…the lovable ballad ‘Backwoods Barbie’ [is] Parton’s charming, autobiographical, country ode to how neither a rural origin nor a Double D-Cup prevents a sharp mind…”
“The music and lyrics by Dolly Parton are super…probably the best of any show this year…”
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