Dolly: A True Original Musical
| Dolly | |
|---|---|
| A True Original Musical | |
 Artwork for Hello, I'm Dolly, a working title | |
| Music | Dolly Parton |
| Lyrics | Dolly Parton |
| Book | Dolly Parton Maria S. Schlatter |
| Premiere | July 2025: Nashville |
| Productions | 2025 Nashville |
Dolly: A True Original Musical is a stage musical based on the life and career of American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton. In addition to Parton's music and lyrics, she co-wrote the book and collaborated as a producer.
Premise
[edit]Parton's autobiography offers a "rags-to-riches story from her barefoot beginnings in the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee to performing in platform heels under the bright lights of Hollywood."[1] The musical features Parton's hit songs as well as new songs.[2]
Development
[edit]The first table read for an untitled musical based on Dolly Parton's life took place in 2023, with Carrie St. Louis reading for the music superstar.[3][4]
Parton announced plans for the new musical in June 2024, initially titled Hello, I'm Dolly.[5]
Producers subsequently announced an open casting call for Dolly: An Original Musical, prompting thousands of submissions on social media.[6][7][8] Two actors from the search were cast in the 2025 Nashville production.[8]
A Broadway run of the show is planned for 2026.[9][10][11]
Productions
[edit]The musical premiered in July 2025 at the Belmont University Fisher Center for the Performing Arts in Nashville, Tennessee.[12][13] Tony winner Bartlett Sher directed the production.[1] Carrie St. Louis, Katie Rose Clarke, and Quinn Titcomb will all portray Parton at various stages of her life.[1][2]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Carrie St. Louis, Katie Rose Clarke and Quinn Titcomb to Star as Dolly Parton in World Premiere of Dolly: An Original Musical". Broadway.com. Retrieved 2025-05-12.
- ^ a b "Katie Rose Clarke, Carrie St. Louis, Quinn Titcomb to Play Dolly Parton in New Musical - TheaterMania.com". 2025-05-05. Retrieved 2025-05-12.
- ^ Young, Casey (2025-05-07). ""We Were Bamboozled" – Fans Think The 'Search For Dolly' Open Casting Call Might've Just Been A Marketing Ploy". Whiskey Riff. Retrieved 2025-05-12.
- ^ "The Desert Sun Subscription Offers, Specials, and Discounts". subscribe.desertsun.com. Retrieved 2025-05-12.
- ^ "Hello, I'm Dolly, Based on the Life and Career of Dolly Parton, Eyes Broadway for 2026". Broadway.com. Retrieved 2025-05-12.
- ^ Hollabaugh, Lorie (2025-02-18). "'Dolly: An Original Musical' Announces Casting Call Results". MusicRow.com. Retrieved 2025-05-12.
- ^ "Hello, Dollys! Meet the Finalists to Play the Title Role in Dolly: An Original Musical". Playbill. Archived from the original on 2025-05-09. Retrieved 2025-05-12.
- ^ a b Evans, Greg (2025-05-05). "Dolly Parton Announces Cast For Pre-Broadway Production Of Musical 'Dolly'". Deadline. Retrieved 2025-05-12.
- ^ Wethington, Caleb (2025-08-08). "Red carpet to kick off debut of Dolly Parton's musical in Nashville". WSMV. Retrieved 2025-10-01.
- ^ Dowling, Marcus K. "Dolly Parton's musical drew 80K to Belmont University's Fisher Center, heads to NYC". The Tennessean. Retrieved 2025-10-01.
- ^ "Dolly: An Original Musical Broadway". New York Theatre Guide. Retrieved 2025-10-01.
- ^ "Dolly Parton's Dolly: An Original Musical Will Have Its Pre-Broadway World Premiere in Nashville This Summer". Broadway.com. Retrieved 2025-05-12.
- ^ Cochrane, Emily (2025-07-20). "Dolly Parton Musical's Nashville Debut Draws Flocks of Fans". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2025-07-20.
