Dolly Parton is heading to Broadway with the musical Hello, I’m Dolly.
The star is writing new songs to go along with some of her past hits and co-writing a stage story inspired by her life – a stage show that she hopes to land on Broadway in 2026.
“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,” she said in a statement.
Parton will team up with Maria S Schlatter on the story. Schlatter won an Emmy for producing Netflix’s Christmas on the Square, which starred Christine Baranski.
Hello, I’m Dolly is the name of Parton’s debut album released in 1967, which had the songs Dumb Blonde and Something Fishy.
Parton went on to become a national treasure, starring in movies, writing books, earning Grammys, becoming the first country artist to be named MusiCares Person of the Year and donating $1m for coronavirus research.
Parton will have plenty of past hits to choose from, including her three Top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 – 9 to 5, Here You Come Again and Islands in the Stream. She also has 25 No 1 Hot Country songs like Yellow Roses, Think About Love, Tennessee Homesick Blues and Jolene.
This won’t be the first time Parton’s music will be heard on Broadway. A stage version of 9 to 5 landed in 2009 starring Stephanie J Block, Megan Hilty and Allison Janney, and the 1993 Christmas special Candles, Snow & Mistletoe contained her song With Bells On.
Parton’s show will be the latest musician bio on Broadway using their songs, joining such recent artists as Neil Diamond, Alicia Keys, Michael Jackson, Carole King and Gloria and Emilio Estefan.
She will join pop and rock luminaries such as Elton John, Cyndi Lauper, The Go-Go’s, Sting, Alanis Morissette, Dave Stewart, Edie Brickell, Trey Anastasio, David Byrne and Fatboy Slim and Bono & The Edge with Broadway scores.
This past week, Parton also spoke about her wish for the original cast of 9 to 5 to appear in Jennifer Aniston’s planned remake. “I’m hoping they use my song and I’m hoping they might find a way to have Lily, Jane and me come back in,” she said to E! News.
