Coal Miner’s Daughter: Zooey Deschanel to star

Grammy and Golden Globe nominated actress and star of FOX TV's show, "New Girl," Zooey Deschanel is to portray country music legend Loretta Lynn in an upcoming Broadway-bound musical stage adaptation of Lynn's autobiography, Coal Miner's Daughter.

The stage version of Coal Miner's Daughter will tell the remarkable story of country music legend Loretta Lynn, from her impoverished Kentucky childhood to her her statuse as the First Lady of Country Music.

No dates, creative team or further casting has been announced. The schedule will have to be organised so as not to conflict with Deschanel's current commitment to the FOX TV show, "New Girl," on which she stars and produces.

Lynn said, "It's a long way from Butcher Holler to Broadway in New York City. I never imagined I'd see Coal Miner's Daughter on a movie screen, and now I can't believe it's going to be on a stage for people to see. I'm going to be right there in the front row. And I know Zooey is going to be great ­ she sings and writes her own songs just like I do, and we even have the same color eyes!"

Deschanel said, "Loretta Lynn and her music have been inspirations for me for as long as I can remember. She is a true legend and to be chosen to play such an iconic woman is a dream come true."

Coal Miner's Daughter will be brought to the stage by Tony Award-winning producers, Fox Theatricals (Kristin Caskey and Mike Isaacson) and Scott Sanders Productions, whose previous shows include 'Legally Blonde,' 'The Color Purple,' 'Red,' 'Thoroughly Modern Millie,' 'Death of a Salesman,' 'Elaine Stritch: At Liberty,' and the current revival of 'Evita.'