Good golly, where’s Dolly? Well, she’s heading to Broadway. Dolly Parton has announced the nationwide casting call Dolly: An Original Musical, which will bring her life to the stage in 2026. The search for actresses to play the country icon across the decades is now underway.
“Whether you’re chasing your dreams from a small town, or you’ve spent years performing on stages across the country, I want to give you the chance to help me bring my story to Broadway and maybe even play me,” Parton said in a recent Instagram video.
Jim Carnahan and Carrie Gardner serve as casting directors on the project, which will be directed by Tony-winner Bartlett Sher with a book from Dolly Parton and Maria S. Schlatter. Parton will also helm the score for the production with music from her extensive catalogue. Auditions will be held in New York at a later date.
“This show is a celebration of my music, my life, and all the amazing people who’ve been with me along the way,” Parton said. “We’re looking for talented performers who can capture the spirit of my journey, whether you’re an experienced theatre professional or an undiscovered gem with that little special something. The selected few will get the chance to audition in person in front of our show’s casting director.”
The production asks applicants to submit their auditions through the Dolly website and encourages them to share their tapes online. “So what are you waiting on?” Parton asked. This might be your big moment to take center stage and step into the spotlight. And hey, break a leg.”
Dolly: An Original Musical was first announced in June under the initial title Hello, I’m Dolly. “Hello, I’m Dolly, and I lived my whole life to see this show on stage,” Parton said at the time. “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!”
Speers added: “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. 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.”
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