The Dolly Parton Musical Is Heading to Broadway

Tumble outta bed and stumble to the kitchen, pour yourself a cup of ambition and yawn and stretch and get ready to go out onstage. The Dolly Parton musical is coming to Broadway for real. Dolly: A True Original Musical, with music by Parton, will begin preview performances at the St. James Theatre on December 7 ahead of an opening night on January 19, 2027. The opening night will be on Parton’s 81st birthday. The bio-musical will feature a book by Parton and Maria S. Schlatter, who worked on Parton’s Netflix movie Christmas on the Square. The musical will be directed by Bartlett Sher, who is best known for his work on large-scale revival musicals like The King and I and South Pacific.

“My whole life has been a musical,” Parton said in a statement. “A grand ole opera really and I can’t wait to present it to you on Broadway. I hope you enjoy watching as much as I’ve enjoyed livin’ it.” Sher added, “During our world premiere in Nashville, I was overwhelmed by the deep connection audiences have with Dolly. You mention her name and people light up and share a time that she has inspired them and brought them joy. But despite all of that genuine love, Dolly has never really shared her story before. She’s offered glimpses and peeks, but this musical allows her to reveal the unfiltered story in her own words.” 

Notably, the musical’s announcement comes without a final casting for any of the characters, including Dolly. In the pre-Broadway run in Nashville, three different actresses played Parton at different stages in her life: Katie Rose Clarke (Merrily We Roll Along), Carrie St. Louis (Just in Time), and child actress Quinn Titcomb as young Dolly. Their casting followed a national open search for the musical that resulted in some girls going to TikTok viral, including Elyse Bell. Can’t wait to find out who we can say “Hello, Dolly!” to.