DOLLY: A TRUE ORIGINAL MUSICAL begins on Broadway in December 2026 — Page 2

You can purchase tickets now if you have a Capital One card (code is your first 6 digits). Front center mezz is only $179 before fees. First block goes all the way to January, 2028, which feels presumptuous. Opening night is on sale too and currently has the entire house open…



https://us.atgtickets.com/events/dolly-a-true-original-musical/st-james-theatre/calendar/2026-07-07

Updated On: 7/7/26 at 01:58 PM

I don't think you can compare Dolly the musical to MJ the musical, even with quality as an afterthought. Dolly is a beloved entertainer, America's meemaw. Michael Jackson is just shy of being a literal demigod. Death could not slow him down. Three different rounds of credible abuse allegations could not slow him down. The move to streaming and away from album sales could not slow him down. He's pure teflon, and his musical is 100% going to perform differently than anyone else's.

It'll be interesting to see (and why I love the creative process) if changes were made. I mean, it's been how long? Close to a year? And weren't there workshops since then? I saw a few comments on social media that they were asked to do a post-show survey in Nashville so you have to give them credit for at least wanting feedback?

Since this isn't Dolly's first go around on Broadway - let's remember 9 to 5's trajectory (yes, I know 2009 was in the midst of the Great Recession and Broadway in general struggled). That said - the long gestating musical adaptation of 1980's second highest grossing film - previews began on Broadway at the Marquis Theatre (that cursed space) on April 7, 2009, with an official opening on April 30. The production closed on September 6, 2009, after 24 previews and 148 regular performances. It was Tony nominated for Actress (Allison Janney as Violet, the Lily Tomlin role), Score (Parton), Featured Actress (Marc Kudish in the Mr. Hart role), and choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler.

gibsons2 said: "OhHiii said:
...not sure you understand the breadth of Dolly's fanbase. They are very much comparabledin terms of how beloved they are. Youcouldmake the point that Michael's music makes for a more exciting musical, which may be fair. But popularity isn't a question."

Is Dolly Partonas popular as MJ outside of the US? Or has she been in the past? Her songs performed by other artists are probably more popular and well known globally than she is. No doubts about her American fanbase, of course.

Speaking of MJ, after the movie Michael made a billion USD, it has become perfectly clear: world still sees him as a second coming, despite allegations and despite the fact that the man has been dead for almost 20 years.Love MJ or hate him, an entertainer of the same caliber and influence has yet to emerge."

Not even close.

MJ is million times more popular worldwide, and that is why the show draws tourists. Same as Thriller Live that ran for years in London, it was always full of tourists.

Id also argue MJ has a larger number of his songs that are iconic and known worldwide.

Jukebox shows are tricky to predict. Sometimes artists with massive followings have their shows flop, while others just print money

Theatrefan2 said: "gibsons2 said: "OhHiii said:
...not sure you understand the breadth of Dolly's fanbase. They are very much comparabledin terms of how beloved they are. Youcouldmake the point that Michael's music makes for a more exciting musical, which may be fair. But popularity isn't a question."

Is Dolly Partonas popular as MJ outside of the US? Or has she been in the past? Her songs performed by other artists are probably more popular and well known globally than she is. No doubts about her American fanbase, of course.

Speaking of MJ, after the movie Michael made a billion USD, it has become perfectly clear: world still sees him as a second coming, despite allegations and despite the fact that the man has been dead for almost 20 years.Love MJ or hate him, an entertainer of the same caliber and influence has yet to emerge."

Not even close.

MJ is million times more popular worldwide, and that is why the show draws tourists. Same as Thriller Live that ran for years in London, it was always full of tourists.

Id also argue MJ has a larger number of his songs that are iconic and known worldwide.

Jukebox shows are tricky to predict. Sometimes artists with massive followings have their shows flop, while others just print money"

I'm not arguing. I'm aware of MJ and his songs popularity which cannot be compared to really anyone other artist.

gibsons2 said: "OhHiii said:
...not sure you understand the breadth of Dolly's fanbase. They are very much comparabledin terms of how beloved they are. Youcouldmake the point that Michael's music makes for a more exciting musical, which may be fair. But popularity isn't a question."

Is Dolly Partonas popular as MJ outside of the US? Or has she been in the past? Her songs performed by other artists are probably more popular and well known globally than she is. No doubts about her American fanbase, of course.

Speaking of MJ, after the movie Michael made a billion USD, it has become perfectly clear: world still sees him as a second coming, despite allegations and despite the fact that the man has been dead for almost 20 years.Love MJ or hate him, an entertainer of the same caliber and influence has yet to emerge."

Dolly is hugely popular in Australia.

ucjrdude902 said: "It'll be interesting to see (and why I love the creative process) if changes were made. I mean, it's been how long? Close to a year? And weren't there workshops since then? I saw a few comments on social media that they were asked to do a post-show survey in Nashville so you have to give them credit for at least wanting feedback?"

Nearly every single "pre-Broadway" show does surveys, and some even do focus groups.

A while back I'd heard they were doing a lot of work on the show because they knew the Nashville production could not come to Broadway as-is –– though whether those changes actually make a big difference remains to be seen.

The show has a new music supervisor (Stephen Oremus, replacing Kimberly Grigsby) and a new sound designer (Peter Hylenski, replacing Justin Ellington & Beth Lake), but those aren't changes that make or break a show.

By the time it begins Broadway previews, there will have been more than 15 months between the Nashville closing and Broadway opening. So time is not an issue.

It was all over local and National NBC News this afternoon and evening.

Looking at these prices, I’m really hoping they give us something BIG.

You do, at the curtain call. Dolly makes a video appearance on the huge LED screen wall giving the show that glorious DOLLYWOOD theme park vibe the show already has.

sarcadam88 said: "There is a new audition listing today for all principals— is no one continuing from Nashville?"

I don't know, but it's a technicality when a role is listed as "offer out" or "CAST" on a casting notice. It could be that no offers have been made yet, even if they have people in mind.

Sometimes even when a director has actors earmarked, they still audition new people to reinforce their decisions, or they hope that someone even better will come along, or they want to make sure they have backup options because actors for a jukebox show like this are disposable / there'll be other companies / other opportunities come along.

JSquared2 said: "ACL2006 said: "A winter opening is never good."



Yeah -- just look at all these "duds" that opened in the winter...

December - CAMELOT (original), THE MUSIC MAN (original) I DO, I DO, THE COLOR PURPLE (original), MJ

January - THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, COME FROM AWAY, SHENENDOAH, SWEET CHARITY (original)

February - THEY'RE PLAYING OUR SONG, SUNDAY IN THE PARK (Jake G and Annaleigh), JEROME ROBBINS BROADWAY, WONDERFUL TOWN (original)"

Anything from this decade?