Dolly: An Original Musical
Dolly: An Original Musical is a musical about the life of music superstar Dolly Parton.
Plot
Dolly: An Original Musical tells Parton's "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."{{Cite web |title=Carrie St. Louis, Katie Rose Clarke and Quinn Titcomb to Star as Dolly Parton in World Premiere of Dolly: An Original Musical |url=https://www.broadway.com/buzz/205638/carrie-st-louis-katie-rose-clarke-and-quinn-titcomb-to-star-as-dolly-parton-in-world-premiere-of-dolly-an-original-musical/ |access-date=2025-05-12 |website=Broadway.com |language=en}} The musical will feature Parton's hit songs as well as new songs.{{Cite web |date=2025-05-05 |title=Katie Rose Clarke, Carrie St. Louis, Quinn Titcomb to Play Dolly Parton in New Musical - TheaterMania.com |url=https://www.theatermania.com/news/katie-rose-clarke-carrie-st-louis-quinn-titcomb-to-play-dolly-parton-in-new-musical_1776089/ |access-date=2025-05-12 |language=en-US}}
History
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.{{Cite web |last=Young |first=Casey |date=2025-05-07 |title="We Were Bamboozled" – Fans Think The ‘Search For Dolly’ Open Casting Call Might’ve Just Been A Marketing Ploy |url=https://www.whiskeyriff.com/2025/05/07/we-were-bamboozled-fans-think-the-search-for-dolly-open-casting-call-mightve-just-been-a-marketing-ploy/ |access-date=2025-05-12 |website=Whiskey Riff |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=The Desert Sun Subscription Offers, Specials, and Discounts |url=https://subscribe.desertsun.com/restricted?return=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.desertsun.com%2Fstory%2Flife%2Fentertainment%2Farts%2F2024%2F02%2F15%2Fcarrie-st-louis-is-returning-to-the-palm-springs-area-a-broadway-star-mccallum-theatre-show-concert%2F72443545007%2F&gps-source=CPROADBLOCKDH&itm_source=roadblock&itm_medium=onsite&itm_campaign=2025BAUREFRESHGX&gca-cat=p&sltsgmt=0150_B&offer=W-GX |access-date=2025-05-12 |website=subscribe.desertsun.com}}
In June 2024, Parton announced a new musical, titled at the time Hello, I'm Dolly.{{Cite web |title=Hello, I’m Dolly, Based on the Life and Career of Dolly Parton, Eyes Broadway for 2026 |url=https://www.broadway.com/buzz/204270/hello-im-dolly-based-on-the-life-and-career-of-dolly-parton-eyes-broadway-for-2026/ |access-date=2025-05-12 |website=Broadway.com |language=en}}
In late 2024, producers announced an open casting call, prompting thousands of submissions on social media.{{Cite web |last=Hollabaugh |first=Lorie |date=2025-02-18 |title='Dolly: An Original Musical' Announces Casting Call Results |url=https://musicrow.com/2025/02/dolly-an-original-musical-announces-casting-call-results/ |access-date=2025-05-12 |website=MusicRow.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Hello, Dollys! Meet the Finalists to Play the Title Role in Dolly: An Original Musical |url=https://playbill.com/article/hello-dollys-meet-the-finalists-to-play-the-title-role-in-dolly-an-original-musical |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250509234759/https://playbill.com/article/hello-dollys-meet-the-finalists-to-play-the-title-role-in-dolly-an-original-musical |archive-date=2025-05-09 |access-date=2025-05-12 |website=Playbill |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Evans |first=Greg |date=2025-05-05 |title=Dolly Parton Announces Cast For Pre-Broadway Production Of Musical ‘Dolly’ |url=https://deadline.com/2025/05/dolly-parton-cast-musical-broadway-1236384349/ |access-date=2025-05-12 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}} Two actors from that search will appear in the 2025 production in Nashville.
Productions
The musical is set to premiere in July 2025 at Belmont University in Tennessee.{{Cite web |title=Dolly Parton's Dolly: An Original Musical Will Have Its Pre-Broadway World Premiere in Nashville This Summer |url=https://www.broadway.com/buzz/205165/dolly-partons-dolly-an-original-musical-will-have-its-pre-broadway-world-premiere-in-nashville-this-summer/ |access-date=2025-05-12 |website=Broadway.com |language=en}} Tony winner Bartlett Sher will direct the production. Carrie St. Louis, Katie Rose Clarke, and Quinn Titcomb will all portray Parton at various stages of her life.