The latest from Jimmy Carter in Nashville

Nashville, TN August 4, 2009 – Multi-platinum Country music star Lorrie Morgan has been cast in the Broadway-bound production of the hit movie PURE COUNTRY , producers Randall L. Wreghitt, Chris Presley and Ellen Rusconi announced today. Morgan joins fellow Country music star Joe Nichols to headline the new musical that is expected to open on Broadway in early 2010. As previously announced, Nichols takes on the role of ‘Rusty’ [‘Dusty’ in the movie], which was made famous in the film by George Strait. Morgan now joins him to play the role of ‘Lula,’ Rusty’s ruthless manager, which was created on film by Lesley Anne Warren. “The PURE COUNTRY family is absolutely overjoyed to welcome Lorrie Morgan,” producer Wreghitt said. “To have a Country music star of her caliber sets the artistic bar high and brings additional authenticity to the show. The combination of Joe Nichols and Lorrie Morgan promises to be a dream collaboration for Country music fans and for everyone who sees the s...

The cast of the Broadway play 9 to 5 was told today 7/29/09 that the show is closing down after Labor day weekend... from the NY papers: The Times: The producers of the Broadway musical “9 to 5” informed the cast on Wednesday that it would close on Sept. 6, according to a statement from its publicists. No reason was provided for the closing of the show, at the Marquis Theater. Based on the 1980 movie starring Lily Tomlin and Dolly Parton , it opened on April 30 and stars, above from left, Stephanie J. Block , Allison Janney and Megan Hilty . The show’s initial budget capitalization exceeded $10 million, and its weekly costs — to pay for the large cast and crew, and other expenses — were in the high six figures, according to people involved with the production. Yet the musical sometimes could not cover even its weekly nut; for the eight performances July 20 through 26, “9 to 5” grossed $694,650 and played to houses about 70 percent full. Variety: Goodbye, Dolly. The Broadway tuner ver...