Dolly Parton Broadway Bio Musical aiming for Spring 2025 — Page 3

Dolly's early childhood was very successfully dramatized in two NBC TV movies, but it's hard to see that being done on stage. Perhaps her earlier career and relationship with Porter Wagner would musicalize well, but it's hard to see running a theme park as fodder for a Broadway musical.

Tina used one actor (with a brief appearance of a child actor) to cover Turner's entire life, and even that was a poorly told story held up only by Adrienne Warren's stunning performance. Covering an entire life as rich as Dolly's seems a tall order to transform into a compelling story in one show.

Updated On: 1/30/25 at 10:12 AM

A friend's voice teacher said that callbacks have already started going out for some of the Dolly parts, so it does sound like things are still fluid

NEWS: "Dolly Parton’s new musical, Dolly: An Original Musical, has revealed that out of the thousands of entrants in the “Search for Dolly” Casting Call, the following 15 people have been invited to attend in-person auditions to be held in New York City.

The actors being invited to audition are: Kathryn Adeline – New York City; Peri Barnhill – New York City; Elyse Bell – New York City; Alberta Brown – Halifax, Canada; Haley Brown – Los Angeles; Kylee Hennes -– Richfield, Wisconsin; Annelise Laakko – New York City; Tasha Lefler – Newport, Tennessee; Solo Lowit – Milton, Georgia; Kindred Moore – New York City; Norah Nunes – Houston, Texas; Kelly O’Brien – Aldbury, Tring, United Kingdom; Tricia Paoluccio – California; Cecilia Petrush – New York City; and Madeline Powell – New York City. See footage of the selected performers here!"



Not only does Elyse Bell sound terrific here, but she's got one of my favorite covers of "Meadowlark" ever (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiXat01azKM). Very excited, hope she gets to be in this production.

Overheard someone saying Will Swenson is attached.

Updated On: 3/10/25 at 04:27 PM

This type of format of having three actresses play the lead didn't work for Cher or Donna Summer. Hopefully Dolly Parton can figure out how to make it work.

Interestingly enough, Katie Rose Clarke was my first Glinda in Wicked while Carrie St. Louis was my most recent.

Those images are nightmarish. They look like Cindy Shermans.

bjh2114 said: "But like... aren't Katie Rose Clarke and Carrie St. Louis roughly the same age/generation? And they're playing Dolly in two different stages of her life? I have questions."

They'll differentiate each stage by the size of their cups.

TotallyEffed said: "bjh2114 said: "But like... aren't Katie Rose Clarke and Carrie St. Louis roughly the same age/generation? And they're playing Dolly in two different stages of her life? I have questions."



Bea Arthur was one year older thanEstelle Getty."

And your point here is...? For one thing, TV and film are very different than the stage when it comes to aging up actors. For another thing, whether or not they CAN make two actresses appear different in age, why wouldn't you WANT a slightly older, more seasoned Broadway performer to play the oldest version of Dolly if you have the opportunity?

bjh2114 said: "TotallyEffed said: "bjh2114 said: "But like... aren't Katie Rose Clarke and Carrie St. Louis roughly the same age/generation? And they're playing Dolly in two different stages of her life? I have questions."



Bea Arthur was one year older thanEstelle Getty."

And your point here is...? For one thing, TV and film are very different than the stage when it comes to aging up actors. For another thing, whether or not they CAN make two actresses appear different in age, why wouldn't you WANTa slightly older, more seasoned Broadway performer to play the oldest version of Dolly if you have the opportunity?"



They are very different, indeed. It is much easier to age up actors on stage. Cameras are far less forgiving. Proud of you for answering your own silly question.



My point was pretty clear to anyone who can speak remedial English: actors have played roles very different from their actual ages with great success, many, many times.

Updated On: 5/5/25 at 01:12 PM

singerunlimited said: "Wasn't the whole point of the search to find their Dolly? The optics aren't great after that whole "nationwide search," in my humble opinion."

Like Ken Davenport making a big deal about casting someone from the islands as Ti Moune in Once on This Island and then punting on that

thats what I am thinking with Katie Rose Clarke will play either the older or narrator Dolly..or she and Carrie St Louis will play the version the public never sees(sans wigs and makeup) vs the public image of Dolly

aDoes Katie Rose Clarke have one eye blue and one eye brown? Is this a clue since Carrie St Louis eyes are Blue and the younger actress has brown eyes, is Katie Rose Clarke possibly portraying a version of Dolly if she didnt make it in the business what her life may have been? or am I definitely looking for clues that arent there?

Updated On: 5/5/25 at 07:36 PM