Dolly Parton announced additional casting, the music team, and the design team for the upcoming world premiere of Dolly: A True Original Musical as rehearsals commence in Dolly's hometown of Nashville, TN.
As previously announced, the production will start preview performances on Friday, July 18 for a Friday, August 8 opening night at the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts on the campus of Belmont University. Due to overwhelming demand, the run has been extended with tickets now on sale through Sunday, August 31.
Joining the previously announced stars Katie Rose Clarke, Carrie St. Louis, and Quinn Titcomb, who will each play the international superstar at different stages of her life, will be John Zdorjeski as 'Porter Wagoner,' Jacob Fishel as 'Sandy Gallin,' Tabitha Lawing as 'Little Judy Ogle,' Tony Award® nominee Beth Malone as 'Judy Ogle,' and Danny Wolohan as 'Uncle Bill.'
They will be joined by ensemble members Peri Barnhill, Klea Blackhurst, Sarah Bockel, Jonathan Butler-Duplessis, Joe Carroll, Donald Corren, Ryan Demoville, Olivia Donalson, Sarah Hunt, Ruchir Khazanchi, James Moye, Cole Ragsdale, Maddie Robert, and Alex Ross. Swings and understudies for the Nashville company include Josh Canfield, Tiffany Engen, Todd A. Horman, Norah Nunes, and Kathlynn Rodin. Complete casting for the production will be announced shortly.
Peri Barnhill, a graduate of Nashville’s Belmont University’s musical theater program, and Norah Nunes, a resident of Houston, TX, are the two actors that were cast as part of the national “Search For Dolly.” Barnhill and Nunes were previously announced as two of the 15 finalists selected to travel to New York for in-person auditions with the creative team.
The producers would like to express their gratitude to all of the applicants. The search resulted in thousands of actors of all races, ages, genders, and body types being reviewed by representatives of the creative team for multiple roles in the production. Many of those who submitted videos had never previously been seen by a professional casting director.
Dolly: A True Original Musical takes us on a journey through the life of this rhinestone in the rough, from her barefoot beginnings in the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee to performing in platform heels under the bright lights of Hollywood. Featuring all her beloved hits, including “I Will Always Love You,” “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors,” and “9 to 5,” this joyful and moving new musical will take audiences inside the literal rags-to-riches story of Parton and give you new insight into her triumphs, trials, and trailblazing.
The musical features a score by Dolly that will include some of her biggest hits as well as new songs she has written especially for the musical, a book by Dolly and Emmy Award® winner Maria S. Schlatter, and will be directed by Tony Award winner Bartlett Sher.
The music team for the production includes Kimberly Grigsby (music director), Tony Award nominee and Grammy® Award nominee John Clancy (orchestrations), Kent Wells (musical consultant), Richard Dennison (vocal arrangements and music arrangements), and Gregg Perry (music arrangements and vocal arrangements).
The creative team for Dolly: A True Original Musical includes Emmy Award® winner Mandy Moore (choreography), Tony Award winner Derek McLane (scenic design), Tony Award nominee Jennifer Moeller (costume design), Tony Award winner Donald Holder (lighting design), Tony Award nominee Justin Ellington and Beth Lake (sound design), Olivier Award nominee Nathan Amzi and Olivier Award nominee Joe Ransom (video design), and Rob Pickens (hair design), Charles Means (production stage manager), and Jim Carnahan and Carrie Gardner (casting directors).
The musical is produced by Dolly, Danny Nozell, ATG Productions, and Gavin Kalin Productions. 101 Productions, Ltd. are general managers for the musical.
Tickets for the world premiere of Dolly: An Original Musical are available now, starting at just $40, at www.dollymusical.com or by calling the Fisher Center Box Office at (615) 460-2255.
These folks have captured the heart, spirit, and voice of Dolly herself, and we couldn’t be more excited to celebrate them with you.
⭐ Kathryn Adeline (New York, NY)
⭐ Peri Barnhill (New York, NY)
⭐ Elyse Bell (New York, NY)
⭐ Alberta Brown (Halifax, Canada)
⭐ Haley Brown (Los Angeles, CA)
⭐ Kylee Hennes (Richfield, WI)
⭐ Annelise Laakko (New York, NY)
⭐ Tasha Lefler (Newport, TN)
⭐ Solo Lowit (Milton, GA)
⭐ Kindred Moore (New York, NY)
⭐ Norah Nunes (Houston, TX)
⭐ Kelly O’Brien (Aldbury, UK)
⭐ Tricia Paoluccio (CA)
⭐ Cecilia Petrush (New York, NY)
⭐ Madeline Powell (New York, NY)
Next stop: New York City! Each of these performers have been invited to audition for Dolly: An Original Musical.
Thank you to everyone who participated. Your incredible talent shone so brightly and we hope you’ll come see us at Dolly: An Original Musical sometime.
See the World Premiere in Nashville July 18 - August 17 at The Fisher Center for The Performing Arts located on the Belmont University campus. Get your tickets today at DollyMusical.com!
Dolly Parton took to the stage of the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts on the campus of Belmont University in Nashville, TN to announce that Dolly: An Original Musical will have its world premiere this summer at the Fisher Center, Music City’s world-class home for the performing arts, before the production comes to Broadway in 2026. Dolly: An Original Musical will play a four-week limited engagement with preview performances beginning Friday, July 18 for a Friday, August 8 opening night with a final performance set for Sunday, August 17.
"I am Tennessee born and raised, and Nashville has been my musical home for over 60 years," Dolly said. "So, this is the right and perfect place to present the world premiere of my life story as a musical. Right here in Nashville, at the beautiful Belmont University’s Fisher Center."
This will mark the first time the Fisher Center will host the world premiere of a new musical featuring a cast and creative team of professional artists.
Tickets for Dolly: An Original Musical, with prices starting at just $40, are on sale now at www.dollymusical.com or by calling the Fisher Center Box Office at (615) 460-2255.
Dolly: An Original Musical will feature a score by Dolly that will include some of her biggest hits as well as new songs she has written especially for the musical, a book by Dolly and Maria S. Schlatter, and will be directed by Tony Award® winner Bartlett Sher. The musical is produced by Dolly, Danny Nozell, ATG Productions, and Gavin Kalin Productions. Jim Carnahan and Carrie Gardner serve as casting directors, and 101 Productions, Ltd. are general manager for the musical.
Casting, additional creative team members, and other details for the world premiere of Dolly: An Original Musical at the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts will be announced in the coming weeks.
For news and updates on Dolly: An Original Musical, please sign up at www.dollymusical.com.
Additionally, Dolly, Dolly: An Original Musical, CTK Enterprises, and Belmont University announced the launch of the Dolly U, an immersive educational experience that will begin with a focus on the creation of the musical’s world premiere. The initial Dolly U allows students opportunities to participate in aspects of the production, working alongside the musical’s professional cast, creative, and producing teams, as it is developed and premieres at the Fisher Center this summer. In addition, new project- based courses are being offered during the spring semester in subjects such as marketing, brand partnerships, and merchandising, providing students hands-on opportunities with the musical while receiving course credit.
The projects in this first year will serve as a pilot for additional courses and connections between Belmont, Dolly Parton, and CTK Enterprises in the future, as Dolly U expands in reach and impact. For more information, visit www.belmont.edu/dollyu.
As part of this initial program, Dolly U students have been working as production assistants and casting ambassadors helping facilitate the recently concluded "The Search for Dolly" national casting search which will give those chosen a chance to travel to New York to formally audition for a role in the new musical. The results of "The Search for Dolly" will be announced shortly.
Tickets for the world premiere of Dolly: An Original Musical are available now, starting at just $40, at www.dollymusical.com or by calling the Fisher Center Box Office at (615) 460-2255.
