Playhouse Merced is bringing some Texas-sized fun to the stage with the opening of “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.”

“The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,” a musical made popular by the movie starring Dolly Parton and Burt Reynolds, will begin a three-weekend run at the Playhouse Merced mainstage at 7:30 p.m. tonight.

Set in Texas in the late 1970s, “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” is about a famous whorehouse, the Chicken Ranch, and its infamous madam, Ms. Mona. While some people love the Chicken Ranch, others want to see it shut down, like Texas Watchdog Preacher Reverend Melvin P. Thorpe — while the Sheriff, Ms. Mona’s love interest, is stuck in the middle.

Full of singing and dancing, “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” is directed and choreographed by Corey Strauss and stars Dianne Kocher as Ms. Mona and Joe Hypes as the Sheriff. It also stars Brad Reed as the Governor, G.B. Blackmon III as Melvin P. Thorpe, Alison Rush as Angel and Meganne Ward as Shy.

“The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” opens tonight and plays three weekends through May 18. Tickets are on sale now for Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Ticket prices are: Adults: $22; Seniors: $20; Students: $12; Children: $10. Purchase tickets by calling 725-8587, or visiting the box office at 452 West Main St. in downtown Merced, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The show is rated “M,” containing matures themes, situations and language.