Dolly Parton Broadway Musical Sets Its Lead Cast
Deadline • • entertainment
Key Points:
- The upcoming Broadway production "Dolly: A True Original Musical," Dolly Parton’s final passion project, has announced its lead cast, all personally selected by Parton before her passing.
- Katie Rose Clarke will star as Dolly Parton, reprising her role from the Nashville production, with Carrie St. Louis portraying the ambitious singer/songwriter Dolly and 11-year-old Norah Nunes playing Little Dolly.
- The cast also features Grammy nominee John Behlmann as Carl Dean, Dolly’s husband, and Tony Award winner Gabriel Ebert as Porter Wagoner, the country star who introduced Parton nationally.
- The musical includes new songs by Parton alongside her classic hits and will begin previews on December 7, 2026, at Broadway’s St. James Theatre, officially opening on January 19, 2027—Parton’s 81st birthday.
- Directed by Bartlett Sher, the production features a creative team with notable collaborators including Parton and Emmy winner Maria S. Schlatter on the book, and a music team led by Tony and Grammy winner Stephen Oremus.
