Dolly Parton announces musical premiere in Tennessee July 18

Dolly Parton is set to premiere her life story as a musical titled 'Dolly: An Original Musical' in Nashville, Tennessee, with previews starting on July 18 and a limited run from August 8-17 at Belmont University’s Fisher Center for the Performing Arts. At a press conference, the 79-year-old country music icon expressed her desire to oversee the production herself, stating that she wanted to ensure it was done properly while she is still around. The musical will chronicle her journey from a humble upbringing in the Smoky Mountains to becoming a global superstar known for hits like '9-5' and 'I Will Always Love You.' Parton has co-written the book with Emmy-winning producer Maria S. Schlatter and has composed several original songs for the show. This decision to stage the musical in Nashville rather than Broadway reflects her connection to the city, which she regards as her musical home for over 60 years. Dolly previously received a Tony nomination for her work on the Broadway adaptation of '9 to 5' in 2009.