When filming the first of NBC's Dolly Parton bio-pics, then 10-year-old Farrah Mackenzie was placed in a unique position in that the real Stella Parton, who she was playing in the film, was there on-set as a fellow actress and character consultant. Farrah took every advantage of having Stella around and even became a leftie for her role. She received rave reviews from her real-life counterpart after playing Dolly's younger sister in "Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors." Stella said,
"I think that Farrah Mackenzie plays the best Little Stella that anybody could play. I wouldn't have wanted anyone else to play me."
Farrah will return as Stella Parton in the all-new NBC film, “Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love.” Since the airing of the first film, Farrah has continued to grow as an actress and was overjoyed to return to her role as Stella Parton. This cross-fit enthusiast has generously agreed to share her thoughts on the new movie, the influential people in her life, her Christmas wish and more.
See more cast interviews and tune in Wednesday, November 30 at 9/8c on NBC to watch Farrah Mackenzie as Stella Parton in “Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love.”
This highly-anticipated film is the next installment of the inspiring true story of living legend Dolly Parton's remarkable upbringing in East Tennessee. "Dolly Parton's Christmas of Many Colors - Circle of Love" will air on NBC on Nov. 30 and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment is bringing it to DVD on Dec. 20, 2016.
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olly makes a special appearance in the film as The Painted Lady, a woman from her childhood who Dolly has attributed her iconic look to for decades. She also introduces the film and serves as narrator.
"Dolly Parton's Christmas of Many Colors - Circle of Love" continues with the story of young Dolly as the Parton Family experiences a true Christmas miracle drawing the Partons closer than ever - with deepened faith and love for one another. The film delivers Christmas joy and peril as an unexpected blizzard threatens the family while Dolly’s father (and his kids) make sacrifices to raise enough money to finally buy his loving wife the wedding ring he could never afford. Meanwhile, an important person in little Dolly’s life begins to see that her amazing voice and musical gift might just be made for something bigger than rural Tennessee.
The family-oriented, faith-based movie stars Jennifer Nettles (Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter and actress), Ricky Schroder (Golden Globe® Award-winner for The Champ, NYPD Blue), Alyvia Alyn Lind (Blended), Kelli Berglund (Lab Rats), Mary Lane Haskell (Coat of Many Colors), Cameron Jones (Shortland Street), Stella Parton (Green Corn), Hannah Nordberg (American Pastoral), Farrah MacKenzie, Parker Sack, Forrest Deal, Dylan Michael Rowen, Blane Crockarell and Gerald McRaney (Major Dad).
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment brings home this all-new holiday miracle on DVD on December 20, 2016. The DVD will feature deleted scenes and three brand new featurettes including behind-the-scenes interviews.
DVD SPECIAL FEATURES:
"Dolly Parton's Christmas of Many Colors - Circle of Love" is executive produced by Dolly Parton, Sam Haskell and Pamela K. Long. Written by Long, the film was directed by Stephen Herek. Hudson Hickman served as line producer and Velton Ray Bunch and Mark Leggett composed the musical score. The film is a production of Magnolia Hill Productions and DP Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television.
The 2015 critically acclaimed film, "Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors" was awarded the Epiphany Prize for Inspiring Television from The Movieguide® Awards, the ACM® Tex Ritter Award and the coveted Christopher Award.
Since the world premiere of the film on NBC, fans have asked for a DVD version they can watch over and over again with their families. Warner Bros. Home Entertainment will grant their wish on May 3, a few days before Mother's Day.
The premiere of the critically acclaimed television movie smashed records and with 15.9 million total viewers, it became the number one movie on broadcast television in six years. It earned the Epiphany Prize, Movieguide® Awards' highest honor, and Alyvia Alyn Lind received the Grace Award for her performance as young Dolly.
Set in Dolly's childhood home in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, the film tells the story of how the tight-knit Parton family overcame tragedy and heartbreak as a simple hand-made coat brought them closer than ever.
For the first time, audiences got a glimpse into the lives of the people who helped make Dolly Parton, well, Dolly Parton. Fans fell in love with Dolly's parents Avie and Robert Lee Parton played by singer/songwriter Jennifer Nettles and actor Ricky Schroder of "NYPD Blue" and "Silver Spoons" fame. Gerald McRaney delivered a moving performance as Dolly's grandfather, Rev. Jake Owens. Viewers also enjoyed meeting some of Dolly’s 11 siblings. Not only did they get to see Farrah Mackenzie play a young Stella Parton but they also got the added treat of watching the real-life Stella as Corla Bass. First-born Willadeene Parton, played by Carson Meyer, became another fan favorite, due in part to her place as a second mother to her younger siblings, a duty in which many viewers related.
DVD Bonus Features include "Coat of Many Colors: Bringing the Song to the Screen (Featurette)" and deleted scenes.
See full interviews with some of the cast of “Dolly Parton’s Coat Of Many Colors” and look for the DVD on May 3.
FILM CREDITS
Starring
Alyvia Alyn Lind, Jennifer Nettles, Ricky Schroder, Gerald McRaney
Executive Producers
Dolly Parton, Sam Haskell, Pamela K. Long
Written By
Pamela K. Long
Director
Stephen Herek
Line Producer
Hudson Hickman
Casting Director
Patrick Rush
Produced By
Warner Bros. Television, Magnolia Hill Entertainment, DP Productions
Stella Parton, who recently starred as Corla Bass in “Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors,” released a new album called Mountain Songbird “A Sister’s Tribute.” The project features 11 of Stella’s favorite Dolly songs and two original cuts.
Stella co-wrote the title track “Mountain Songbird” with Tom T. and Dixie Hall. It shares Stella’s perspective of what she and the family were feeling when Dolly left for Nashville, TN at 18-years-old. The sisters teamed up to co-write "More Power To Ya," an empowering, original song featuring Dolly's harmony vocals. Dolly said,
“Stella is a great singer, entertainer and songwriter. All the more reason I am so proud she decided to do a tribute CD of my songs.”
Choosing 11 songs from Dolly's musical vault was a difficult task for Stella, especially considering Dolly has written over 3,000. Stella commented on making her selections,
“So in the end, while making the decision to record this tribute album of 11 of my favorites, I decided to sing the story songs, because they resonated with me the most.”
"Coat of Many Colors," "Jolene" and "I Will Always Love You" are among those songs Stella selected. Stella will promote Mountain Songbird "A Sister's Tribute" in an upcoming tour in the United Kingdom.
For tour dates, visit Stella Parton's Facebook page.
"Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors" received a standing ovation from more than 13 million viewers. It drew a record-breaking audience and became the most watched television movie on NBC in years.
After the premiere, critics raved and fans flocked to social media sites sharing personal stories of how the film moved them. Now, NBC is giving everyone the chance to relive Dolly's heartwarming story in a special encore performance on Christmas Day.
Fans can also enter to win an amazing Smoky Mountain vacation in Dolly Parton's "Coat of Many Colors" Sweepstakes.
