Janney to play Tomlin's role in '9 to 5'

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 7 (UPI) -- Actress Allison Janney is set to begin rehearsals for her starring role in the Los Angeles stage musical, "9 to 5," USA Today reported Monday.

Janney will play Violet, the character portrayed by comedian Lily Tomlin in the 1980 film, which was later made into a short-lived TV show without the movie's original stars.

Janney and Tomlin co-starred on the TV show "The West Wing."

The new production of "9 to 5" is slated to begin in Los Angeles in September and possibly move to Broadway.

"Lily is thrilled that I'm doing it," Janney told USA Today. "I'm doing my singing and dancing lessons and getting myself in shape."