Dolly Parton is set to bring her life story to the stage with "Dolly: A True Original Musical," a new production announced Tuesday that will debut on Broadway. Parton, 80, confirmed the musical will feature her own storytelling and music, including both new and beloved hits.
"This really is a dream come true," Parton said in an Instagram video. "It’s about where I really come from, what I’ve lived, what I’ve lost, what I’ve loved, and how I’ve found my way."
The musical is slated to begin previews in New York City in December and officially open on Jan. 19, 2027, coinciding with Parton's birthday. Pre-sale ticket access is scheduled to begin Wednesday.
Directed by Tony Award winner Bartlett Sher, the production will include some of Parton's most famous songs, such as "Jolene," "I Will Always Love You," "9 to 5," and "Coat of Many Colors." The show, which had a previous debut in Nashville last year, has undergone revisions.
This career announcement follows a recent health update from Parton, who had to postpone and ultimately cancel her "Dolly: Live in Las Vegas" residency due to ongoing health issues. In May, she shared that while she was responding well to treatments and improving daily, it would take time before she was ready for stage performances.
Parton first publicly addressed health concerns in September 2025 when she withdrew from an appearance due to kidney stones. This period also followed the March 2025 death of her husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Dean, after which she took a brief hiatus to mourn.
Parton will not be performing in the new Broadway musical but has been involved in writing new songs for the production.