Opened: April 30, 2009

Book by: Patricia Resnick

Music & Lyrics by: Dolly Parton

Original Broadway Cast: Allison Janney, Stephanie J. Block, Megan Hilty, Marc Kudisch, Andy Karl, Kathy Fitzgerald, Ioana Alfonso, Timothy George Anderson, Justin Bohon, Paul Castree, Daniel Cooney, Jeremy Davis, Autumn Guzzardi, Ann Harada, Neil Haskell, Lisa Howard, Van Hughes, Michael X. Martin, Michael Mindlin, Karen Murphy, Jessica Lee Patty, Charlie Pollock, Tory Ross, Wayne Schroder, Maia Nkenge Wilson & Brandi Wooten

The classic Dolly Parton–Jane Fonda–Lily Tomlin comedy is brought to Broadway with music and lyrics written by Parton.

Violet, Doralee and Judy (Allison Janney, Megan Hilty & Stephanie J. Block, respectively) work for the sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot Franklin Hart, Jr. (Marc Kudisch). They band together to take down their boss and make the office a better workplace.

While the female leads are fantastic, there seems to be a spark missing from the show that the movie brought. Maybe it’s the chemistry of Parton, Fonda and Tomlin that just can’t be replaced.

Janney lacks on the vocals, though her acting is superb. Hilty is hilarious, especially during her takedown of Hart in his office. And Block shows such genuine beauty as Judy, especially on the song “Get Out and Stay Out.”

Final say: Good, but the movie is better. ★★★☆☆