Dolly Parton’s journey from humble beginnings to immense success has inspired her music, a theme park, a podcast, and now a Broadway musical set to debut later this year. Titled “Dolly: A True Original Musical,” the production promises to narrate Dolly’s life story in her own authentic voice and through the songs that have influenced her. In an announcement video, the 80-year-old singer assured that the musical would reflect her real experiences of struggles, losses, love, and resilience.
The upcoming musical will feature a combination of new compositions created specifically for the show and some of Dolly’s iconic hits, including “I Will Always Love You,” “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors,” and “9 to 5.” Scheduled to commence performances in New York City on December 7 this year, the show is slated to run until November 21, 2027.
Parton expressed her excitement about the musical, emphasizing that it is a realization of her long-held dream. With a career spanning nearly seven decades, Parton, a prolific songwriter with over 3,000 songs to her credit, has sold more than 100 million albums globally and has been honored with inductions into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Country Music Hall of Fame.
The musical made its debut in Nashville last summer to a sold-out six-week run at the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts. Director Bartlett Sher highlighted the profound bond audiences share with Dolly, noting how her name evokes inspiration and joy in people’s memories. The show is praised for allowing Parton to narrate her life story authentically, revealing a side of her that goes beyond the glitz and glamour associated with her image.
Tickets for the musical will be available to the public starting on Friday, July 10.