The Dolly Parton musical is scheduled to premiere on Broadway this winter.
The show is now titled Dolly: Real original music, The show is scheduled to open at the St James Theater on December 7, ahead of opening night on January 19, which also happens to be Parton’s 81st birthday. The musical about Parton’s life and career comes to Broadway after premiering in July 2025 in Nashville.
The show features a collection of Parton’s famous songs, including “I’ll Always Love You,” “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors” and “9 to 5,” as well as new songs she wrote for the musical. Parton co-wrote the musical with Maria S. Schlatter, who wrote Barton Christmas in the square film. Bartlett Sher, Tony Award winner south pacific, directs.
“My whole life has been a musical,” Barton said. “It’s a truly great opera and I can’t wait to bring it to you on Broadway. I hope you enjoy watching it as much as I enjoyed living it.”
Casting for the Broadway production will be announced at a later date. In Nashville, Parton was played by Carrie St. Louis, Katie Rose Clark, and Quinn Titcomb at various points in her life.
Barton previously worked on Broadway, having written the score for the Tony-nominated musical adaptation From 9 to 5: The Musical, Which ran on Broadway in 2009.
The show is produced by Danny Nozel and Adam Spears for ATG Productions and Gavin Kalin Productions. It takes to the St James’s Theater next Titanicoe, which is currently scheduled to end in September.
“Following everything we learned during our world premiere in Nashville, we are shaping the show and deepening the storytelling so that the Broadway production fully captures the spirit of this incredible woman,” Spears said. “Opening the show on Dolly’s 81st birthday is not only a celebration of an important event, but of a life shaped by generosity, courage and purpose that, in this moment, feels not only uplifting and inspiring, but essential.”
