Dolly Parton at the Los Angeles Premiere of "Joyful Noise" held at the Grauman's Chinese Theater in Los Angeles, California, United States on January 9, 2012. Copyright 2012 by Adam Gold/iPhoto
NEW YORK, July 8, 2026. Dolly Parton’s life story is headed to Broadway in a new stage musical that will trace the country icon’s journey from her Tennessee roots to international stardom.
The production, titled Dolly: A True Original Musical, is scheduled to begin previews in New York City this December. Its official opening is planned for Jan. 19, 2027, which is Parton’s birthday.
The musical will feature several of Parton’s best-known songs, including Jolene, I Will Always Love You, 9 to 5 and Coat of Many Colors. Parton will not appear onstage, but she is closely involved in the project, writing new material and helping shape the story of her life for Broadway audiences.
Tony Award-winning director Bartlett Sher will lead the production. Parton has presented the show as a more personal look at her life, focusing not only on her public image, but also on her upbringing, losses, relationships and the experiences that shaped her career.
The Broadway move follows an earlier version of the musical that premiered in Nashville last year. Since then, the production has undergone revisions ahead of its New York debut.
The announcement comes during a challenging period for Parton. The 80-year-old entertainer recently canceled her Dolly: Live in Las Vegas residency after first postponing the shows last year. In May, she said ongoing health issues had improved with treatment, but she was not yet physically ready to return to live stage performance.
Parton has also dealt with personal loss and medical setbacks over the past year. Kidney stones forced her to miss a Dollywood appearance in September 2025, and her husband, Carl Dean, died in March 2025 at age 82 after nearly six decades of marriage.
Pre-sale ticket access for Dolly: A True Original Musical begins Wednesday.
Photo Credit: DepositPhotos.com
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