Broadway Friday

- The 25th anniversary edition of Forbidden Broadway opens in previews today at the 47th Street Theatre. Spoofing Grey Gardens, Curtains, Spring Awakening, and Legally Blonde among others, Forbidden Broadway: Rude Awakenings features Jared Bradshaw, Janet Dickinson, Valerie Fagan and Michael West with David Caldwell on piano.

- Dolly Parton's 9 To 5: The Musical will hit Broadway in the spring of 2009. Earlier this summer, director Joe Montello oversaw a workshop of the show with a cast that included Allison Janney (in the Lily Tomlin role), Stephanie J. Block (in the Jane Fonda role) and Megan Hilty (in the Dolly Parton role). Bebe Neuwirth (Chicago) read as office snitch Roz. Parton has an new album due in early 2008, Backwoods Barbie, which is also the title of a song headed for the musical.

- Casting has been announced for the Boston pre-Broadway run of The 39 Steps, a "comedic take" on the Alfred Hitchcock movie of the same name. Jennifer Ferrin, Arnie Burton, Cliff Saunders, and Charles Edwards will play more than 100 characters in the show. The London run of the show won a 2007 Lawrence Olivier Award for Best New Comedy. The 39 Steps opens in Boston on Sept.14th with Broadway dates TBD.