‘Dolly Parton: An Original Musical’ to Get Nashville Premiere at Belmont University This Summer

Dolly Parton’s upcoming musical, Dolly: An Original Musical, will be getting a Music City premiere this summer, before heading to Broadway in 2026.

The musical, which brings Parton’s life story to the stage, will launch a four-week limited engagement at Belmont University’s Fisher Center For the Performing Arts this summer. Preview performances start July 18, followed by the opening night on Aug. 8. The musical will run through Aug. 17.

Parton made the announcement during a press conference held at Belmont’s The Fisher Center For the Performing Arts on Tuesday morning (Jan. 28). Parton is a native Tennessean and has lived in Nashville for 60 years.

“It seemed natural and right for me to premiere the story of my life in Tennessee, because I’m Tennessee born and Tennessee raised,” Parton told the audience.

“I have always wanted to do my life story as a musical, and I just thought I wanted to see it done while I was still around to be able to oversee it and make sure that it’s done properly, the way I would want to see it,” Parton later added, explaining her motivations for working on the project.

The musical will feature music written by Parton, with a book by Parton and Maria S. Schlatter, and will be directed by Tony Award winner Bartlett Sher. Parton noted that in addition to some of her most famous songs, the musical will also feature new music she composed.

Parton is also a producer on Dolly: An Original Musical, along with Danny Nozell, ATG Productions and Gavin Kalin Productions. 

Parton revealed plans for the musical last year, and an open casting call has since been launched to search for the ideal performer to portray Parton. During the press conference, Parton noted that the cast would be revealed “soon.”

Additionally, Parton has launched the “Dolly U” program, an immersive educational partnership with Belmont University. According to a release, the initial Dolly U program will allow students “opportunities to participate in aspects of the production, working alongside the musical’s professional cast, creative, and producing teams, as it is developed and premieres at the Fisher Center this summer. In addition, new project-based courses are being offered during the spring semester in subjects such as marketing, brand partnerships, and merchandising, providing students hands-on opportunities with the musical while receiving course credit.”

“I’ve had a lot of my relatives and friends go to Belmont. We know that this is a great school…everybody loves to learn about the business end of the music business,” Parton said during the press conference, noting that her niece graduated from Belmont University.

Tickets for Dolly: An Original Musical are on sale at dollymusical.com and at Belmont’s Fisher Center Box Office.