

Photo credit: Dolly Parton. (Photo courtesy of production)
Dolly Parton dies at 80
A musical co-written by the beloved country singer, based on her life and featuring her songs, is set to come to Broadway later this year.
Beloved country singer Dolly Parton has died at 80, mere months before her new bio-musical Dolly: A True Original Musical is set to start Broadway performances.
Parton was heavily involved with the musical, which tells her life story, up until her death. She co-wrote the script with two-time Emmy Award winner Maria S. Schlatter, and the show is set to her hit songs like “I Will Always Love You,” “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors,” and “9 to 5.” She also promoted the show via its official social media accounts, with the most recent video of Parton being posted to Instagram just yesterday.
"The girl from the mountains of East Tennessee with big dreams to change the world did just that. Thank you, Dolly. We will always love you," reads the caption on an Instagram post the account released today in response to Parton's death.
Dolly: A True Original Musical is set to start performances at the St. James Theatre on December 7 and open on January 19, which would have been Parton's 81st birthday. As of now, no changes to the show schedule have been announced.
Parton's death was announced by her family on August 25. No cause of death has been confirmed, though Parton recently revealed that she had been dealing with health issues.
Frequently asked questions
How do you book tickets for Dolly: A True Original Musical?
Book tickets for Dolly: A True Original Musical on New York Theatre Guide.
Where is Dolly: A True Original Musical playing?
Dolly: A True Original Musical is playing at St James Theatre. The theatre is located at 246 West 44th Street (between Broadway and 8th Avenue), New York, 10036.
What is Dolly: A True Original Musical about?
Dolly: A True Original Musical follows the life of a true music icon: Dolly Parton. Tracing the Queen of Country's rise to fame, this jukebox musical gives personal insights into Parton’s career and life, all set to her greatest hits plus new songs written specifically for this Broadway premiere.
What songs are in Dolly: A True Original Musical?
Audiences can expect to hear fan-favorite songs like “I Will Always Love You,” “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors,” and “9 to 5” in Dolly: A True Original Musical. Dolly Parton is also contributing new songs to the score.
Who directs Dolly: A True Original Musical?
Tony Award winner Bartlett Sher directs Dolly: A True Original Musical on Broadway. He is known for his lush Lincoln Center productions and revivals of beloved musicals.
Who wrote Dolly: A True Original Musical?
Dolly Parton herself wrote the songs in Dolly: A True Original Musical, and she also co-wrote the script with Maria S. Schlatter.
Originally published on
Latest News
- 1
Where to see 'A Christmas Carol' in New York
- 2
Broadway shows to see based on your favorite book
- 3
The 10 best U.S. cities to see shows in before they head to Broadway
- 4
Lin-Manuel Miranda's 'Warriors' sets initial Broadway cast
- 5
Abigail Barlow to return to ‘Six’ on Broadway
- 6
Margaret Cho to succeed Rachel Dratch in 'The Rocky Horror Show' on Broadway
- 7
What to do in New York for the holidays in 2026
- 8
See photos of Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Ed Harris, Allison Janney, Joe Keery, Lily Rabe in 'Other Desert Cities' on Broadway
- 9
10 fun facts about Blue Man Group
- 10
Broadway cast albums you can stream right now
Subscribe to our newsletter to unlock exclusive New York theatre updates!
- Get early access to Broadway's newest shows
- Access to exclusive deals and promotions
- Stay in the know about top shows and news on Broadway
- Get updates on shows that are important to you
You can unsubscribe at any time. Privacy Policy

