Dolly Parton made a grand entrance at Belmont University’s Fisher Center, where she shared exciting news—her life story is coming to the stage in Dolly: An Original Musical! The show will premiere this summer in the very same theater before heading to Broadway in New York City. The anticipation was sky-high, with Belmont students lining up around the block just to catch a glimpse of the queen of country music. The event kicked off with Belmont’s Bluegrass student ensemble playing some of her greatest hits, including “Jolene,” setting the perfect tone for the afternoon. The stage setup was warm and homey, featuring a cozy living room-style arrangement: a round rug, three chairs with decorative pillows (including one bedazzled in rhinestones—of course, for Parton), and floral arrangements cleverly hiding water bottles and tissues. Belmont University President Greg Jones took the stage first, introducing Parton as “Tennessee’s finest” before she was escorted out by Belmont student Isaac Bouldin. Dressed in a stunning black lace-detailed dress, a white leather jacket, and dazzling red-bottom gold glitter heels, Parton captivated the audience with her signature charm. Alongside her was Bartlett Sher, the show’s musical director and a Broadway powerhouse known for Fiddler on the Roof, My Fair Lady, and Camelot.
Interviewed by Tennessean reporter Marcus Dowling, they shared exciting details about the musical’s production and what fans can expect. One of the biggest reveals? The show’s music. While fans will hear plenty of Dolly’s classics, she’s also written brand-new songs for the production. Her personal favorite? I Wouldn’t Be Here If You Hadn’t Been There. Meanwhile, Sher is especially fond of God, Sex & Music. And in true theatrical fashion, Parton teased that the show will even include an earthquake scene—because why not? Beyond the musical, Parton had another major announcement: the launch of her Dolly U program at Belmont. With the help of Belmont’s Vice President for Imagination, Strategic Initiatives & Partnerships, Sarah Cates, the program is offering students a hands-on opportunity to learn about the entertainment industry either through a fellowship offered by CTK Enterprises or new classes offered to students. New courses include: Dolly Parton: Icon & Influence Story-Driven Merchandising Integrated Marketing Communications Partnership Marketing in Music Of course, the hottest topic of the day was the search for the perfect Dolly.
The casting call has drawn a wild mix of talent—from drag queens to impersonators—and Sher confirmed they’re looking for three different actresses to play Parton at various stages of her life: young Dolly, adult Dolly, and an older Dolly who will narrate the story. Though no final selections have been made yet, TikTok has been buzzing with hopefuls sharing their audition news. And what’s a Parton production without fabulous fashion? She revealed that her longtime stylist, Steve Summers, is in charge of the wardrobe, ensuring that every look is as dazzling as the icon herself. This isn’t Parton’s first foray into musical theater—she composed the music for 9 to 5: The Musical back in 2008. Now, with Dolly: An Original Musical, she’s once again ready to bring her legendary story to life, captivating audiences with her music, charm, and signature sparkle. Tickets are on sale now for the debut season at the Fisher Center starting at $40 a ticket. The show will run from July 18 through August 17 in Nashville.
- Joanna Walden
