Dolly Parton’s glittered fingerprints are all over the Philly and South Jersey area this weekend.
Firstly, Gateway Playhouse is bringing '9 to 5: The Musical' to life on stage beginning this week (Sept. 24-27) into next (Oct. 1-4), with two casts sharing performances of the Broadway musical based on the 1980 film starring Parton, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin.
The show features Parton’s music and lyrics and turns the familiar workplace comedy into “a lively mix of country, pop and Broadway, following three fed-up office workers who decide they’ve had enough of their sexist, egotistical boss.”
The timing is especially meaningful: The Sept. 25 performance will serve as a tribute to Parton, with the theater encouraging audiences to get “All Dolled Up” in fringe, rhinestones, big hair and Western-glam attire. Gateway will also raise money that evening for Parton’s Imagination Library, her longtime literacy initiative that provides free books to children from birth through age 5. Sept. 25 is also officially being recognized as “Dolly Parton Day.”
“Although we’ve been planning to produce ‘9 to 5’ for nearly a year, the show has taken on an entirely new significance with the passing of Dolly Parton. What began as an opportunity to tell a funny, empowering and surprisingly relevant story, now also feels like an opportunity to celebrate Dolly’s extraordinary legacy,” says Phil Pallitto, Gateway’s artistic director and director of the musical.
“Her music, humor, heart, and unwavering belief in lifting up others are woven throughout this show. Beneath the comedy and iconic score is a story about equality, respect, friendship, and finding the courage to stand up for yourself and for others.”
Performances are set for 7 p.m. on Sept. 24 to 26 and Oct. 1 to 3, with 2 p.m. matinees scheduled for Sept. 27 and Oct. 4. Tickets are $25 and available for purchase through the Karen S. Sutherland box office (738 Bay Ave., Somer’s Point) or GatewayByTheBay.org.
"The opportunity to present two casts allows even more performers to take part in this exciting production, while giving audiences the chance to experience fresh interpretations of these beloved characters," adds Pallitto. "Whether audiences attend one performance or come back to see the alternate cast, they’re in for an evening of laughter, incredible music and inspiring storytelling."
Additionally, Philadelphia Pilates studio Midsection Connection is also celebrating the music legend with a special Dolly Parton-inspired Pilates class benefiting the Imagination Library. '9 to 5: Dolly Parton Pilates' is set for this Friday, Sept. 25, and will feature a one-hour class led by instructor Rose DiMarco, set entirely to a Dolly Parton playlist. Participants are encouraged to channel their inner Pilates Dolly, “whether that means pink, denim, rhinestones, big hair or their own take on the country icon.”
Registration is $20, with $5 from every registration donated to Parton’s charity. The class runs from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Midsection Connection (1827 Brandywine St.), and more info can be found via momence.com
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