Dolly Parton’s Broadway dreams will still come true, despite her tragic death, at the age of 80, at her Tennessee home Tuesday.
“As was Dolly’s wish, the Broadway production of Dolly: A True Original Musical will begin previews at the St. James Theater in New York City on December 7,” the producers said in a statement.
The hit show will then officially open on January 19, on what would have been her 81st birthday, after a sold-out run in her hometown of Nashville last summer.
The country legend wrote the music, booked and produced the rags-to-riches show led by Tony-winning director Bartlett Sher and choreographed by Mandy Moore.
“This is not about a story about sparkle and shine on the outside,” Parton said in a video last month.
“It’s about where I really come from, what I’ve lived, what I’ve lost, what I’ve loved and how I found my way and told it in my own words and through the music that was part of me every step of the journey.”
Dolly Parton’s Broadway dreams will still come true despite her tragic death, at the age of 80, at her Tennessee home Tuesday
The national treasure added: “Now the musical has some of my big hits plus a bunch of brand new songs that I wrote especially for the show. This is truly a dream come true…and I can’t wait to share it with all of you!’
DOLLY takes audiences on a journey through Parton’s life “from her barefoot beginnings in the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee to her performance in platform heels under the bright lights of Hollywood.”
Katie Rose Clarke, Quinn Titcomb and Carrie St. Louis all portrayed the blonde bombshell at various stages of her life at the Belmont University Fisher Center for the Performing Arts, but the Broadway cast has yet to be announced.
However, parents should be aware that DOLLY may not be suitable for children under eight years of age.
It’s worth noting that Parton was just a Tony Award away from elite EGOT status.
Miley Cyrus’ godmother previously earned a Tony Award nomination for composing the music for the Broadway production 9 to 5: The Musical, which opened at the Marquis Theater in Manhattan in 2009.
Parton’s 1984 song With Bells On was also featured in the Broadway musical Candles, Snow & Mistletoe, which opened at the Palace Theater in 1993.
The Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award winner had previously canceled her six-day residency, Dolly: Live in Las Vegas, at Caesars Palace’s Colosseum.
Parton admitted in May that she has “always had problems with my kidney stones,” but that her immune system and digestion have “gone completely haywire” over the past three years and now “need to be rebuilt and strengthened.”
“As was Dolly’s wish, the Broadway production of Dolly: A True Original Musical will begin previews at the St. James Theater in New York City on December 7,” the producers said in a statement.
The hit show will then officially open on January 19, on what would have been her 81st birthday, after a sold-out run in her hometown of Nashville last summer.
The country legend wrote the music, booked and produced the rags-to-riches show led by Tony-winning director Bartlett Sher and choreographed by Mandy Moore.
Katie Rose Clarke, Quinn Titcomb and Carrie St. Louis (pictured August 8) all portrayed the Backwoods Barbie at various stages of her life at the Belmont University Fisher Center for the Performing Arts – but the Broadway cast has yet to be announced
“The good news is that I am responding very well to medications and treatments and am getting better every day,” the Please Please Please singer said.
‘The bad news is that it will take a while before I get to the podium level because some of the medications and treatments make me a bit ‘swimmy’, as my grandmother used to say.
‘And of course I can’t get dizzy carrying around banjos, guitars and the like in two-inch heels. And you know I’m going to wear them!’
Parton had admitted that she still had “some healing to do,” but she has “great doctors,” who said, “I’m doing really well and they assure me that everything I have is treatable, so I’m going with that.”
The Light of a Clear Blue Morning singer’s cousin Bryan Seaver announced the sad news via social media where he noted how she “opened doors for generations of singers, songwriters, musicians and dreamers from all walks of life and across every continent.”
“Her example made us believe that anything was possible. “She never saw a door she couldn’t open, and the doors she opened made and changed history,” said her 75-year-old head of security.
It’s worth noting that Parton was just a Tony Award away from elite EGOT status
The Light of a Clear Blue Morning, cousin of singer Bryan Seaver, delivered the sad news via social media, noting how she “opened doors for generations of singers, songwriters, musicians and dreamers from all walks of life and on every continent.”
Parton’s small, private funeral service will be held for the immediate family and in lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
“Dolly called me and said she wants to rest in a beautiful plush cotton bed, because after a life of heavy rhinestones, she finally deserves to be comfortable.”
Parton’s small, private funeral service will be held for the immediate family and in lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
Hinterland Barbie – which still attracts 16.1 million monthly listeners on Spotify – sold more than 100 million records and broke 10 Guinness World Records.
Parton was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022 and the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999.
