DOLLY: A TRUE ORIGINAL MUSICAL begins on Broadway in December 2026 — Page 4

Dolly Parton Wanted to Share Her Story on Broadway. She Still Will.

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/25/theater/dolly-parton-broadway.html?unlocked_article_code=1.8VA.bM4F.r7d5GHIIQ8WP&smid=nytcore-android-share

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Theatrefanboy1 said: "Any word on when casting would be announced? I would have thought shortly, especially for Dolly."

This could of course be nothing, but in a world of immediate reactions I can’t help but read into the fact that Carrie St. L and Katie Clarke - who both played her - haven’t posted about her passing. Makes you wonder if they’re going in a different direction with the casting."

I find it a bit of stretch to say that they wouldn't comment on Dolly's passing because they are mad they aren't coming in with the show.

The production will need to walk a fine line in the next few months to avoid looking exploitive while also doing the necessary marketing and capitalizing on the public’s desire to celebrate and remember Parton.

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Theatrefanboy1 said: "Any word on when casting would be announced? I would have thought shortly, especially for Dolly."

This could of course be nothing, but in a world of immediate reactions I can’t help but read into the fact that Carrie St. L and Katie Clarke - who both played her - haven’t posted about her passing. Makes you wonder if they’re going in a different direction with the casting."

Well, it was also Clarke’s birthday yesterday.

I saw the show in Nashville, and Carrie St. Louis was great, but I was absolutely blown away by Katie Rose Clarke. It’s probably the best performance I’ve ever seen her give (I’ve always found her mid), but her Dolly was perfect and she earned a lot of respect from me having the chops to pull it off. I hope she gets to transfer and have her moment.

The show itself was sadly a mess, so I’m curious to know if Sher has been putting in the work, and if/how much they’ll continue to change it without Dolly around to voice her opinion. I concur this will be a very fine line for them to walk, but hopefully they can lean into it being a celebration of a wonderful universally beloved human.

There was a really nice new hour-ish Dolly bio-musical at Dollywood when I went recently, it plays seasonally and I imagine it will again. My hunch is that the Broadway iteration (more expensive and without a whole beautiful park full of quality attractions attached to it) won't be able to clear that bar, much as Aladdin on Broadway was never half the show the California Adventure Hyperion version was. But I'm sure I'll be there crying anyway.

Updated On: 8/26/26 at 02:44 PM