Just when you think philanthropist and pop-country legend Dolly Parton has no worlds left to concur, she announces an autobiographical musical, “Hello, I’m Dolly.” The title is based on the name of her first album, and a nod to the musical “Hello Dolly.” Parton will provide the score with a blend of new tunes and fan favorites.
Parton announced the project at CMA Fest in Nashville, Tennessee yesterday morning.
She is also co-writing the book for the production with Maria S. Schlatter, the pair previously worked together on the 2020 Netflix movie “Christmas on the Square.”
“Hello, I’m Dolly, and I lived my whole life to see this show on stage,” Parton wrote in a statement. “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. Don’t miss it!”
The Team Behind “Hello, I’m Dolly”
This early into the production there are no cast or creative team announcements, let alone a theater set, just yet. However, producers include Parton, Adam Speers for ATG Productions, and Danny Nozell for CTK Enterprises.
“I first had the pleasure of working with Dolly Parton in 2019 when she trusted us to develop a new version of her musical ‘9 to 5’ for London’s West End,” Speers said in a statement. “I had always heard she wanted to do a musical based on her life, so when she asked if I would be interested in producing it, I was bowled over. As the world knows, Dolly is a magical blend of talent, hard work, intelligence, charm, wit and a gigantically big heart. I’m thrilled we’re going to bring her inspiring story to Broadway.”
“Hello, I’m Dolly,” is a far cry from Parton’s first time working on a musical She penned the score for a stage adaptation of the film “9 to 5” that opened at the Ahmanson in L.A. The play eventually moved to New York and garnered her a Tony nomination in 2009.
As it stands, “Hello, I’m Dolly,” is planning to open sometime in 2026. We’ll keep you posted on updates as they become available.
