Dolly Parton Reveals Broadway Musical Amid Ongoing Health Struggles
Dolly Parton announced Tuesday that her stage production, Dolly: A True Original Musical, is officially heading to Broadway, marking a major career milestone just months after she revealed ongoing health struggles that forced her to cancel her planned Las Vegas residency.
Parton shared the news in an Instagram video, calling the musical her most personal project yet. "This isn't about a story about sparkle and shine on the outside," she said. "It's about where I really come from, what I've lived, what I've lost, what I've loved, and how I've found my way."
A Deeply Personal Production
Parton, 80, will not perform in the musical herself, but she wrote new songs specifically for the production and shared that the story will be told in her own words. The show traces her journey from her upbringing in the Smoky Mountains to becoming one of country music's most celebrated entertainers, weaving in the dreams, heartbreaks and triumphs that shaped her career.
Directed by Tony Award winner Bartlett Sher, the musical will feature a mix of Parton's most beloved hits, including "Jolene," "I Will Always Love You," "9 to 5" and "Coat of Many Colors," alongside original songs written exclusively for the stage. The production previously debuted in Nashville and has undergone changes ahead of its Broadway run. Preview performances begin Dec. 7 at New York City's St. James Theatre, with opening night set for Jan. 19, 2027, Parton's 81st birthday. Presale tickets became available Wednesday.
A Difficult Year of Health Setbacks
Parton's Broadway announcement follows a year marked by significant health challenges. She first went public with her health struggles in September 2025, when she pulled out of a planned appearance at Dollyworld due to complications from kidney stones. She initially postponed her Las Vegas residency, "Dolly: Live in Las Vegas," at that time before ultimately announcing its full cancellation in May.
In a health update shared that month, Parton revealed that kidney stones had been a longtime issue for her and that her immune and digestive systems had become compromised over the past three years. "I have some good news and a little bad news," she said in the video. "The good news is I'm responding really well to meds and treatments and I'm improving every day." She explained that the bad news was that returning to stage performance level would take longer than hoped, since some of her medications left her feeling "swimmy-headed," making it unsafe for her to perform.
Staying Visible Despite the Setback
Even while stepping back from live performances, Parton has continued to make public appearances throughout her recovery. In June, she cut the ribbon at the grand opening of her new business, Dolly's Tennessean Travel Stop, a gas station and restaurant located off I-65 in Cornersville, Tennessee. She has also continued to address her health with her characteristic humor, at one point joking about false rumors of her death by saying she was "not ready to die yet."
With the Broadway announcement, Parton signaled that while a return to the concert stage is still on hold, she has no plans to step out of the spotlight entirely. "This really is a dream come true," she said of the musical. "I can't wait to share it with all of you."
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