Dolly Parton's Broadway musical, "Dolly: A True Original Musical," is slated to begin previews on December 7 at the St. James Theatre in New York City, with its official opening on January 19, which would have been her 81st birthday. This follows a successful run in Nashville last summer. Producers confirmed the show will proceed as planned, adhering to Parton's wishes.
The country music legend wrote the music and book for the show, which chronicles her life from her childhood in the Smoky Mountains to her rise to stardom. Tony Award-winning director Bartlett Sher and choreographer Mandy Moore are attached to the production. Parton had described the musical as a "rags-to-riches" story that would explore her life's experiences, losses, loves, and journey, shared through her music.
"This really is a dream come true...and I can't wait to share it with all of you!" Parton had stated in a video last month. The musical aims to take audiences through Parton's life, from her "barefoot beginnings" to performing in "platform heels under the bright lights of Hollywood." While performers like Katie Rose Clarke, Quinn Titcomb, and Carrie St. Louis portrayed Parton at different stages in the Nashville production, the Broadway cast has not yet been announced. The producers have noted that the show may not be suitable for children under the age of eight.
Parton was notably only one Tony Award away from achieving EGOT status, having previously received a Tony nomination for composing the music for "9 to 5: The Musical" in 2009. Her song "With Bells On" was also featured in the 1993 Broadway musical "Candles, Snow & Mistletoe."
Previously, Parton had canceled her Las Vegas residency at Caesars Palace's Colosseum due to health issues. In May, she revealed that she had been experiencing problems with kidney stones and that her immune and digestive systems had become "out of whack." She had been undergoing treatments and responding well, but noted that recovery would take time before she could return to performing, especially with the demands of wearing high heels.
Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, announced her passing, highlighting her impact on generations of artists. "She opened doors for generations of singers, songwriters, musicians and dreamers from every walk of life and across every continent," he stated. "By her example, we believed that anything was possible. She never saw a door she couldn't open, and the doors she opened made and changed history."
A private funeral service for immediate family was held. In lieu of flowers, the family requested donations to Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, a program she founded.
Parton, a prolific artist with over 100 million records sold worldwide and multiple Guinness World Records, was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022.