Dolly Parton has revealed plans for a new Broadway musical based on her life. The show, titled “Hello, I’m Dolly,” will open on Broadway in 2026. The musical, whose title is a nod to the singer’s 1967 debut studio album, will feature songs from Parton’s catalog as well as new songs written specifically for the stage. Parton will share book-writing duties with Maria S. Schlatter. “Hello, I’m Dolly” is being produced by Parton, Adam Speers for ATG Productions and Danny Nozell for CTK Enterprises.
Parton received a 2009 Tony Award nominee for her score to “9 to 5,” a musical based on the 1980 film of the same name in which Parton starred and for which she composed the title song. Parton has enjoyed a five-decade career as a country singer, winning 11 Grammy Awards, including a 2011 award for lifetime achievement. Parton is a 1999 Country Music Hall of Fame inductee, a 2005 National Medal of Arts recipient and a 2006 Kennedy Center honoree. Other Broadway connections include starring in the 1982 film adaptation of the 1978 musical “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.”
“Hello, I’m Dolly, and I lived my whole life to see this show on stage,” Parton said in a statement. “I’ve written many original songs for the show and included all your favorites in it as well. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll clap, you’ll stomp, it truly is a grand ol’ opera. Pun and fun intended. Don’t miss it!”
“I first had the pleasure of working with Dolly Parton in 2019 when she trusted us to develop a new version of her musical ‘9 to 5’ for London’s West End,” said Speers in a statement. “I had always heard she wanted to do a musical based on her life, so when she asked if I would be interested in producing it, I was bowled over. As the world knows, Dolly is a magical blend of talent, hard work, intelligence, charm, wit and a gigantically big heart. I’m thrilled we’re going to bring her inspiring story to Broadway.”
Casting and additional members of the musical’s creative team will be announced at a later date.
Update as of Dec. 4, 2024: The Dolly Parton bio-musical has changed its title to “Dolly: An Original Musical.”
This article was originally published on June 6, 2024.
