DOLLY: A True Original Musical Initial Casting Revealed
() On behalf of their partner, beloved global icon Dolly Parton, producers Danny Nozell, Adam Speers for ATG Productions, and Gavin Kalin Productions are pleased to announce the five leading cast members that Dolly handpicked for the upcoming Broadway production of her new musical, DOLLY: A True Original Musical.
Katie Rose Clarke will reprise her heralded performance from the show's Nashville production as 'Dolly Parton' when the show comes to Broadway's St. James Theatre (246 West 44th Street) this winter. Clarke returns to Broadway following her performance as 'Beth Shepard in the Tony Award-winning revival of Merrily We Roll Along. She made her Broadway debut in director Bartlett Sher's beloved production of The Light in the Piazza at Lincoln Center's Beaumont Theatre.
Carrie St. Louis, who was involved in some of the earliest readings of the musical and just wrapped up an acclaimed run on Broadway in Just In Time, will be featured as 'Dolly,' the ambitious and talented singer/songwriter trying to make her break in the Nashville music scene. 11-year-old Norah Nunes, who was one of the finalists of the "Search for Dolly" online open casting call, will play 'Little Dolly.'
The cast will also include GRAMMY and Outer Critics Circle Award nominee John Behlmann as 'Carl Dean,' Dolly's devoted husband of almost 60 years, and Tony Award winner Gabriel Ebert as 'Porter Wagoner,' the larger-than-life country music star who first introduced Parton to a national television audience.
On behalf of the producers, Adam Speers of ATG Productions said, "It's a rare privilege to create a musical alongside the person whose story you're telling, and working with Dolly on this show will always be special. She was passionate about every aspect of our production, but never more than when choosing the actors who would bring her story, and the people closest to her, to life on Broadway. In Katie Rose Clarke, she found an actress who captures not only Dolly's journey but her voice, her wit, her courage, and the great big heart that carried her through it all. Dolly wanted performers with strength, kindness, and humanity as well as talent. In Katie, Carrie, Norah, John, and Gabe, she knew we had a company that could tell the hopeful, deeply human story of what it means to be a true original."
Additional casting and other details for the Broadway production of DOLLY: A True Original Musical will be announced shortly.
To honor Dolly Parton's lifelong commitment to inspiring children, the producers of DOLLY: A True Original Musical, in partnership with the New York City Department of Education, are proud to announce a landmark initiative to make 30,000 free theater tickets available to New York City public school middle and high school students during the show's first year on Broadway.
New York City public schools can apply to take middle school or high school students for free to experience the magic of DOLLY: A True Original Musical and Broadway firsthand. Individual students can also apply for two free tickets to bring a parent or guardian, witnessing Parton's remarkable journey brought to life onstage. This initiative, reaching many who will see their first Broadway show, is designed to open the doors of Broadway to the next generation of theater makers and theatergoers, spark unforgettable memories, and strengthen family bonds.
Additional details about the program will be announced in the coming weeks.
"The arts are an essential part of New York City Public Schools, and thousands of students and their families will now have the chance to experience Broadway for the first time. What better story to begin with than that of Dolly Parton's?" said New York City Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels. "Her journey is a reminder that talent, hard work, and belief in yourself and your community can carry you anywhere, and those are values our students can relate to. Partnerships like this give students real-life exposure that fuels dreams and launches careers, and we look forward to continuing to provide access to opportunities like these."
Preview performances for DOLLY: A True Original Musical will commence Monday, December 7, and the show's opening night will take place on what would have been Parton's 81st birthday: Tuesday, January 19, 2027. The new musical will play New York's St. James Theatre.
DOLLY: A True Original Musical features music by Parton that includes some of her iconic hits as well as new songs she wrote especially for the musical, a book by Parton and two-time Emmy Award winner Maria S. Schlatter and is directed by Tony Award winner Bartlett Sher.
Tickets are on sale to the general public at dollymusical.com, with the initial on-sale running through Sunday, November 21, 2027.
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