Some people celebrate their birthdays with a festive cake or dinner with friends. Dolly Parton is planning to mark hers with a Broadway opening.
“Dolly: A True Original Musical,” a long-in-the-works show about the country queen’s life and career, will begin previews on Dec. 7 at the St. James Theater and then open Jan. 19, which is Parton’s 81st birthday.
The musical had a production in Nashville last year, at the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts. Ticket sales were strong, and though the show was well received by audiences, Parton and the members of the creative team felt it still needed work before coming to Broadway. They have been revising it over the last year.
The musical is being directed by Bartlett Sher, a Broadway veteran who is a nine-time nominee for the Tony Award for best director; he won in 2008 for a revival of “South Pacific.” Some of the songs are from Parton’s catalog of hits (including “I Will Always Love You,” “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors,” and “9 to 5”), while others are new songs she has written for the musical. She collaborated on the musical’s book with Maria S. Schlatter. Parton previously wrote the music and lyrics for “9 to 5,” a 2009 musical.
The new musical, previously called “Hello, I’m Dolly,” is being produced by Parton, Danny Nozell (her manager), Adam Speers for ATG Productions, and Gavin Kalin Productions; the show is also crediting the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development as a presenter of the Broadway production.
Casting has not yet been announced, but Parton will not be appearing in the show.