Dolly Parton Brings Her Life Story to Broadway in New Musical This December
Country music icon Dolly Parton announced that a new musical based on her life and songs will debut on Broadway this December. The production, titled "Dolly: A True Original Musical," will be staged at the St. James Theatre in New York City. Preview performances are set to begin on December 7, 2026, with the official premiere scheduled for January 19, 2027, coinciding with Parton's 81st birthday.
The musical, which premiered last summer in Nashville, Tennessee, chronicles key moments of Parton's life through her own words and music. It features many of her greatest hits, including "I Will Always Love You," "Jolene," "Coat of Many Colors," and "Nine to Five," alongside new songs. Parton described her life as "a musical, a grand opera in fact," expressing excitement to bring the show to Broadway and hoping audiences will enjoy it as much as she has lived it.
The Tony Award-winning director Bartlett Sher, known for works such as "Oslo" and "To Kill a Mockingbird," is directing the production. Parton co-wrote the script with Maria S. Schlatter. With a career spanning six decades, over 100 million albums sold, and 11 Grammy Awards, Parton is recognized as one of the most successful creators in music history. Beyond her artistic achievements, she is a prominent businesswoman and philanthropist, managing the Dollywood theme park and supporting education and poverty alleviation through her foundation.
In 2023, Rolling Stone magazine ranked her 23rd on its list of the greatest singers of all time. Recent news also highlighted her personal life, including a public reassurance to fans that she is not dying and the passing of her husband after years out of the public eye.
