Parton ‘fine,’ as is ‘9 to 5’s’ Kudisch

Well, we’re still not sure whether Elvis has left the building -- but here’s the scoop on a couple of recent celebrity rumors, both with ties to “9 to 5, the Musical,” featuring music and lyrics by Dolly Parton, opening Sept. 20 at the Ahmanson Theatre:

Despite recent widespread Internet reports to the contrary, Parton, who also starred in the 1980 movie on which the musical is based, is not dead. Rumors began Friday night that the country star had died of congestive heart failure at a Tennessee hospital, but Ahmanson Theatre spokeswoman Nancy Hereford confirmed Tuesday that Parton had just arrived in Los Angeles and had spoken to one of the stage production’s producers. “She’s fine,” Hereford said.

Also fine, according to Hereford, is Mark Kudisch, one of the stars of the musical. Readers of the website www.talkinbroadway.com were treated to posts saying that Kudisch had fallen through a trap door and been injured on the set during a rehearsal.

Hereford reports that Kudisch did, indeed, fall while making a jump from a set piece on Sunday; paramedics were called and the performer was taken to Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center and kept overnight for observation. He sustained no serious injury and is back at rehearsals, Hereford said.

-- Diane Haithman