Get ready, Broadway. Dolly Parton is bringing her entire, rhinestone-studded life to the stage. Dolly: A True Original Musical is set to start previews at the St. James Theatre in December 2026, with its official opening night on January 19, 2027. Which, if you're keeping track, also happens to be Dolly Parton's 81st birthday. Because of course it is. No one does an entrance quite like Dolly.
The musical, which first graced Nashville stages in 2025, chronicles Parton's remarkable journey from her humble beginnings in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, to global superstardom. Expect a soundtrack that's basically the greatest hits of your life: "I Will Always Love You," "Jolene," "Coat of Many Colors," and "9 to 5" are all in the mix. Plus, some brand-new tunes penned just for the show, because Dolly doesn't do anything halfway.
A Birthday Bash on Broadway
For Parton, this Broadway debut is a lifelong dream finally hitting the bright lights. And she's not shy about it. “My whole life has been a musical. A grand ole opera really, and I can’t wait to present it to you on Broadway,” she said, adding with classic Dolly charm, “I hope you enjoy watching as much as I’ve enjoyed livin’ it.”
We're a new kind of news feed.
Regular news is designed to drain you. We're a non-profit built to restore you. Every story we publish is scored for impact, progress, and hope.
Start Your News DetoxProducer Adam Speers confirmed they're fine-tuning the show after its Nashville run, aiming to perfectly capture Parton’s indomitable spirit for its New York debut. And that birthday opening? Speers calls it “not only a celebration of a milestone, but of a life shaped by generosity, courage, and purpose that, in this moment, feels not only uplifting and inspiring, but essential.”
No word yet on who will step into Dolly's iconic boots on Broadway, but one thing's for sure: whoever it is has some seriously big shoes to fill. And probably a lot of glitter to contend with.
