The upcoming Broadway production of “DOLLY: A True Original Musical” has announced its five lead cast members, handpicked by Dolly Parton before her recent passing. The cast includes Katie Rose Clarke, who will reprise her role as an adult Dolly Parton from the show’s Nashville production, Carrie St. Louis as a burgeoning singer-songwriter Dolly, and 11-year-old Norah Nunes as a young Dolly. Rounding out the cast are John Behlmann as Parton’s longtime husband, Carl Dean, and Gabriel Ebert as Porter Wagoner, the country superstar who introduced Dolly to a national audience through his TV show.
Cast and Creative Team
The musical features a book by Dolly Parton and Maria S. Schlatter, with Bartlett Sher directing. The music team is headed by music supervisor Stephen Oremus, with Charity Wicks serving as music director and Mandy Moore handling choreography. In addition to classics like “I Will Always Love You,” “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors,” and “9 to 5,” the musical features new songs written by Parton specifically for the show.
Free Tickets for Students
In true Dolly spirit, the musical’s producers have partnered with the New York City Department of Education to offer 30,000 free tickets to public middle school and high school students during the show’s first year on Broadway. New York City Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels praised the initiative, saying: “The arts are an essential part of New York City Public Schools, and thousands of students and their families will now have the chance to experience Broadway for the first time. What better story to begin with than that of Dolly Parton’s? Her journey is a reminder that talent, hard work, and belief in yourself and your community can carry you anywhere, and those are values our students can relate to.”
Preview Performances and Ticket Information
Preview performances of “DOLLY: A True Original Musical” will kick off at the St. James Theatre on Monday, December 7th, with the official opening night taking place on January 19th, 2027, to coincide with what would have been Parton’s 81st birthday. The show is currently set to run through November 21st, 2027. Tickets are available now via Ticketmaster or through Vivid Seats, where fans can save $20 on their first order of $200 or more with promo code COS20 at checkout.
In conclusion, the upcoming Broadway production of “DOLLY: A True Original Musical” is set to be a memorable tribute to the life and legacy of Dolly Parton, with a talented cast and creative team bringing her story to life on stage. With its mix of classic and new songs, this musical is sure to delight audiences of all ages, and the initiative to offer free tickets to students is a testament to Parton’s commitment to making the arts accessible to all.
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