When Governor Quinn informed the crowd that it was Dolly Parton's birthday and that he was declaring January 19th to be Dolly Parton day in Chicago, the crowd went wild and broke into a spontaneous and strangely moving and respectful version of the Happy Birthday song. Even at 65, Dolly Parton is still an unquestioned sex symbol. She stood swaying and smiling to the tribute, laughing occasionally into the mike like a blushing schoolgirl unused to all the attention.
Parton was in town for the premiere of the stage version of 9 to 5, the 1980 movie she starred in with Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin about three secretaries who kidnap their sexist boss and revolutionize their office environment. Parton wrote the shows score and lyrics.
The play had a brief run on Broadway with mixed reviews before shutting down to be retooled for a national tour. One of the revisions included a greater Dolly Parton presence through a video voice over during the opening 9 to 5 song number. The signature song about the hopeless drudgery of the weekday routine is the main theme of the show. Prior to the Chicago premiere, the show stopped in Tennessee, Atlanta and Indianapolis where it was well received.
Before stepping off the stage, Dolly charmed the crowd of critics one last time with a wink and a request, "And if you don't like the show, ya'll just keep your mouth shut!" But the tongue in cheek plea was unnecessary.
9 to 5 is a wonderful way to spend two hours. The music is fun and moving. The three female leads are strong singers who easily get the crowd laughing, including American Idol runner up Diana DeGarmo in the role of Doralee Rhodes, the big-breasted and big-hearted Southern girl who Parton played in the movie. I wouldn't have thought that a stage show about the workplace would resonate during these high unemployment times, but the message actually helps us to appreciate how far we've come to ban sexism and discrimination in the workplace. Think of it as a cheery Mad Men musical.
9 to 5 will be playing in Chicago at the new Bank of America Theater until January 30th. The birthday girl will most likely not appear at future performances, but the show will no doubt send you back out into the Chicago cold with a smile on your face.
