Dolly: a truly original musical comedy, The upcoming Broadway production, which turned out to be the late superstar’s final passion project, has set its main cast, all handpicked by Dolly Parton herself.
Katie Rose Clarke will star as Dolly Parton, reprising her role from her critically acclaimed performance in the Nashville production of the series.
Carrie St. Louiswho participated in some of the early readings of the musical and has just completed an acclaimed Broadway run in Just in timewill play Dolly, the ambitious and talented singer-songwriter trying to make it in the Nashville music scene. 11 years old Norah Nuneswho was one of the finalists in the online open casting call “Search for Dolly,” will play Little Dolly.
The cast will also include Grammy nominee John Behlmann as Carl Dean, Dolly’s devoted husband of nearly 60 years and Tony Award winner Gabriel Ebert as Porter Wagoner, the larger-than-life country music star who first introduced Parton to a national television audience.
The musical, featuring Parton’s new music as well as her classic hits like “I Will Always Love You,” “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors” and “9 to 5,” will debut in previews at Broadway’s St. James on Monday, Dec. 7, with an official opening on Jan. 19, 2027, which would have been Parton’s 81st birthday.
Dolly: a truly original musical comedy had its world premiere last year in Parton’s hometown of Nashville, and tells Parton’s story in her own words and songs. She was a producer with Danny Nozell, Adam Speers for ATG Productions and Gavin Kalin Productions.
Bartlett Sher (To Kill a Mockingbird, South Pacific), directs.
In addition to the music, Parton wrote the book for the musical with two-time Emmy Award winner Maria S. Schlatter, who previously teamed up with Parton on the Emmy-winning Netflix film C.Christmas on the Square.
The production’s musical team includes two-time Tony Award winner and two-time Grammy winner Stephen Oremus (music supervisor), Charity Wicks (musical director), John Clancy (orchestrations) and Kent Wells (musical consultant). The musical team is rounded out by Richard Dennison (vocal arrangements and musical arrangements) and Gregg Perry (musical arrangements and vocal arrangements) who are long-time collaborators of Parton.
The creative team includes Mandy Moore (choreography), Derek McLane (scenic design), Jennifer Moeller (costume design), Donald Holder (lighting design), Peter Hylenski (sound design), Nathan Amzi and Joe Ransom (video design), Robert Pickens (hair design) and Studio Pickens (makeup design).
Additional casting and other details for the Broadway production will be announced in the coming weeks.
Gn entert
