Dolly Parton Broadway Bio Musical aiming for Spring 2025- Page 6

[Ke3]

Posted: 7/22/25 at 4:44pm

See these posts about the show make me both worried and excited. I don't care to hear Dolly's greatest hits if there are other lesser known songs that tell the story better. Dolly's cultural cache reaches farrrrrr wider than people who know her catalog. Dolly has very few pop hits so "most" people outside of country fans and music fanatics are only going to know the big songs like Jolene, Here You Come Again, 9 to 5, and I Will Always Love You. Focusing on a specific moment in time is more conducive to telling a good story than trying to cram almost 70 years of fame into a 2 hour 30 minute window. All of that being said, everything else described sounds dreadful.

(Can someone use the spoiler tag and tell me if Light of a Clear Blue Morning is used in the show? Love that song!)

[Matt Legg]

Posted: 7/23/25 at 1:32am

Probably some spoilers below... I have no idea how to toggle the spoiler button.

I was at the 4th show tonight.  It's a little bit shorter (3 hours) and a couple of songs seem to have disappeared from act 2. We were in the front row so I was eavesdropping on the "Changes" notes in the pit.

The orchestra is massive. I think I counted 18 people down there.  But even some of them looked bored by the time we were 90 minutes in to act 1.  The pit stretches from one side of the theater to the other and was full.

I appreciate the set pieces... I think I have seen so many projection related shows that it was nice to see some actual sets move.

I am a huge fan and have followed her work for 50 years, but the song choice is just bizarre.  For act 1... 90 minutes mind you, there are only two songs that average people would genuinely know. And even at that, Tennessee Mountain Home got little to no reaction.  It was a mixture of obscure album cuts and some songs I assume are new.  As everyone mentioned, The Bridge just ended the act with a thud.

Similarly, the first song of the show, 2009's "My Mountains, My Home," really did not get the show off to a great start.  I kind of cringed at Katie Rose Clarke's vocals during that one.  She spent the first age just wandering the stage looking depressed.  Carrie St Louis did a nice job carrying the Dolly vocals and persona.  Act one has a song entitled "Horny on a Runaway Bus" that was also rather cringe.

Act two features a few more "hits," but even at that, there are only 4.  I am a huge fan-- I don't need a greatest hits show, but I can't imagine tourists flocking to hear 3 hours of songs they do not know. Someone asked about "Light of a Clear Blue Morning."  My favorite Dolly song too and it was the best number in the show.  There was life and energy on the stage! 

I was also surprised by the waste of some of my favorite actresses.  Beth Malone is on that stage for less than 10 minutes and she does not even appear until over 2 hours into the show. She sings part of a reprise and that is it.  I also would have liked a little more Klea Blackhurst.  It is so great to see her on the stage, admittedly for just a few minutes.

There really is not a proper finale yet.  Show ends with a new song that Dolly plans to push as a single.  I was a bit insulted that after the actors left they play instrumental versions of some of Dolly's best like Two Doors Down, Baby I'm Burning and Islands in the Stream. Would have been so nice to hear some of those. 

So overall a mixed bag.  If Cher and Summer did not satisfy audiences with at least giving them the hits, I don't think this is really going to win over crowds.

Updated On: 7/23/25 at 01:32 AM

[BroadwayBen]

Posted: 7/23/25 at 10:52am

I'm seeing it Saturday...Will report in on any further changes! 

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 7/23/25 at 4:43pm

I understand to desire to cash in a legacy like Dolly, Cher, Tina, Donna, etc. However, I truly feel that all a musical can really do is remind the audience that there is no way to capture the magic of the performer. They are set up for disappointment. Especially with someone like Dolly. And there's not going to be any way to please everyone. In the end you end up with something unfocused and lacking power that no one really likes. The Cher Show was a perfect example. It was better in Chicago but still not great. 

 Dolly is bound to come off as some hammy show that would play in Branson or Pigeon Forge. 

If I'm honest, as a long time Dolly super fan, I'd have preferred something more like Girl From The North Country. Something originated at somewhere like The Public that focuses on her more unknown and gothic catalog. 

The Bridge is an amazing song and it's gonna get eaten alive in a show where people wanna see Dolly drag and hear 9 to 5. Now that's a song I'd be fine never hearing again. 

I just dont think all the trims and fixes in the world can save a show trying to encapsulate a woman like Dolly Parton. Dolly herself is all heart and a musical about her is gonna come off as anything but. It's gonna be a musical built by machine. 

[merle57]

Posted: 7/23/25 at 10:26pm

People have forgotten that Funny Girl was about Fanny Brice 23 years after she died - so there was no living performer to compete with. Further, Fanny Brice left little film evidence, so Barbra got to create her own ESSENCE of Fanny which worked very well.And she did not perform any of Fanny's famous songs until the film incorporated I'd Rather Be Blue and My Man.   Cher and other recent bio musicals are competiting with living legends who have extensive recordings and tons of film and television performances whcih create comparisons and disappointment. .It is very hard to capture thae energy and star magtic of the original persona polished and perfected over the years. I wonder if contemporary audiences go in expecting to see a duplicate of a live concert with the original star and anything less will automatically disappoint unless the storyitself  is riveting and surprising. Also, downbeat life stories, while factual, are bound to be downers and suck the energy out of the song list since we only know the star in the fabulous years of the career.  The star is born  template about overcoming obstacles to conquer despite the broken romance has become such a cliche going back to the 1920s. I hope they can whip this show into shape because Dolly herself is such an amazing legend and has overcome so many obstacles to make her mark. 

Updated On: 7/23/25 at 10:26 PM

[Wick3]

Posted: 7/24/25 at 9:49am

Bettyboy72 said: "I understand to desire to cash in a legacy like Dolly, Cher, Tina, Donna, etc. However, I truly feel that all a musical can really do is remind the audience that there is no way to capture the magic of the performer. They are set up for disappointment. Especially with someone like Dolly. And there's not going to be any way to please everyone."

I agree. Dolly fans will most likely rather save their money and go to Las Vegas and see the legend herself at her residency at the Colosseum than see this on Broadway.

 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 7/24/25 at 10:05am

Wick3 said: "Dolly fans will most likely rather save their money and go to Las Vegas and see the legend herself at her residency at the Colosseum than see this on Broadway."

I think this is a problem with a lot of these jukebox shows.

The novelty of Jersey Boys is that it was recreating something that doesn't exist - in that form - anymore.

With people like Cher and Dolly, they're still actively working and it's not like the tickets to the stage musical are cheaper than seeing them live.

[hyangsoo]

Posted: 7/27/25 at 2:17pm

Anyone have an update on where the musical currently is? How much has changed since the first preview?

[Adeliciaboy]

Posted: 7/27/25 at 5:15pm

friends are seeing the show this afternoon.  I will get their report in a couple of hours and post something after that.  I saw the show a week ago when it was running. 3 hours 15 minutes.  Word on the street is that they have cut a fair amount since then  I'm sure they immediately  got it under 3 hours to avoid overtime charges.   But the show needs a lot more than cuts to the running time.

[wcoyote]

Posted: 7/27/25 at 5:46pm

BrodyFosse123 said: "They're going to need to book the Marquis Theatre if they intend to do that huge convention/expo set-up for its Broadway run. That's the only Broadway house that has the lobby space to achieve this. The other Broadway houses that have the space are already booked: the Gershwin (WICKED) and the Minskoff (Disney's THE LION KING)."

Its going to the Wilson Theater after it's restored when Cabaret closes in the fall.  ATG production.  ATG Theater.

[Jg2019]

Posted: 7/27/25 at 8:27pm

hyangsoo said: "Anyone have an update on where the musical currently is? How much has changed since the first preview?"

Hi!  I was at the first preview and returned this afternoon!  They did shave some it down, and the most noticeable changes to me were:

The opening.  Preshow the stage looked like Dolly's dressing room but it's now bare.  KRC also opened the show first preview with her finale outfit I think.  Now, she is dressed more country and more in tune with her childhood.  Act one Finale doesn't abruptly end right after The Bridge.  When CSL ends the song she walks stage left to Porter and says a few lines and the act ends. 

The show has a lot of heart and the cast mentioned they are still making changes and big ones at that.  We will see! This has potential to be really special.

[shomeika]

Posted: 7/29/25 at 9:55am

A Dolly fan asked me to go with him to see this in a few weeks.  I am surprised that no one is speaking of the ticket prices.  We are paying right at $300 each for orchestra-  frontish though - seats.   That is close to top ticket prices on Broadway.  I think it's a bold move.  I just hope it will be good.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 7/29/25 at 10:05am

shomeika said: "A Dolly fan asked me to go with him to see this in a few weeks. I am surprised that no one is speaking of the ticket prices. We are paying right at $300 each for orchestra- frontish though - seats. That is close to top ticket prices on Broadway. I think it's a bold move. I just hope it will be good."

Keep in mind, you’re paying $300 for a work-in-progress. This show is still be extensively tweaked for the next 2 weeks until its August 8, 2025 Opening Night then it’ll go thru another extensive cycle of tweaking during its pre-Broadway rehearsals then its Broadway previews period. 

[shomeika]

Posted: 7/29/25 at 10:10am

BrodyFosse123 said: "shomeika said: "A Dolly fan asked me to go with him to see this in a few weeks. I am surprised that no one is speaking of the ticket prices. We are paying right at $300 each for orchestra- frontish though - seats. That is close to top ticket prices on Broadway. I think it's a bold move. I just hope it will be good."

Keep in mind, you’re paying $300 for a work-in-progress. This show is still be extensively tweaked for the next 2 weeks until its August 8, 2025 Opening Night then it’ll go thru another extensive cycle of tweaking during its pre-Broadway rehearsals then its Broadway previews period."

My point exactly. It's in development, in progress, who knows if it will go to another city for more reworking.  They are charging top dollar for seats - they are quite expensive. AND they seem to be selling. So there's that.  Hell my tickets for towards-the-end of the Sunset Blvd run were not this much!  

Updated On: 7/29/25 at 10:10 AM

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 7/29/25 at 11:28am

Let’s not be disingenuous about prices. 

The first nine rows in the orchestra are $275, past that they go to $140, and the lowest ticket price available is $40.

You opted for the top priced seats, but could have sat in more affordable (and still great) ones. That’s why “no one is talking about the prices”, because there are more options available and you are not obligated to pay that much. 

Updated On: 7/29/25 at 11:28 AM

[jpbran]

Posted: 7/29/25 at 3:12pm

Just got three center orch row F seats for $105 each w/fees via reseller for tomorrow (Wed 8/30 eve). At THIS price, I'm gonna head across town and give it a fair shake. The original pricing... nope. 

[shomeika]

Posted: 7/29/25 at 4:47pm

GiantsInTheSky2 said: "Let’s not be disingenuous aboutprices.

The first nine rows in the orchestra are $275, past that they go to $140, and the lowest ticket price available is $40.

You opted for the top priced seats, but could have sat in more affordable (and still great) ones. That’s why “no one is talking about the prices”, because there are more options available and you are not obligated to pay that much."

 

I had no choice in the matter. Ha! I was told I was going by a superfan, and where we were seating. I will reword my post:

I was third row for Sunset Blvd during the last week, and the ticket prices - close to the front - were less than this "in development" show in Nashville.

I do look forward to it -  

Updated On: 7/29/25 at 04:47 PM

[Wick3]

Posted: 7/29/25 at 5:10pm

Sounds like a cash grab by the producers knowing Dolly fans are willing to pay those prices even in previews.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 7/29/25 at 5:13pm

True, but only in Nashville would they ever get away with charging those prices for this.

[KrupYou]

Posted: 7/29/25 at 5:22pm

I live in NYC and am used to Broadway prices. What is average ticket prices around the USA......so interesting. Never thought about this before.

Does Taylor Swift and big pop stars charge less when they are not playing NYC?

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 7/29/25 at 10:20pm

They don’t charge less. The popular and high-demand cities get a huge price bump due to Ticketmaster’s dynamic pricing, unless the artist chooses to opt out of it. Allegedly Taylor Swift opted out, but Beyonce and Gaga have both included it in their latest tour sales. 

Updated On: 7/29/25 at 10:20 PM

[BentleyB]

Posted: 7/29/25 at 11:33pm

KrupYou said: "I live in NYC and am used to Broadway prices. What is average ticket prices around the USA......so interesting. Never thought about this before.

Does Taylor Swift and big pop stars charge less when they are not playing NYC?"

Honestly I was shocked when we moved from NY to Huntsville, AL at the prices that are charged for shows in Nashville, Huntsville, and Birmingham.  All of the theaters are huge barns with terrible acoustics.  I was so annoyed with Hamilton at TPAC in Nashville, we would have left at intermission if friends had not been with us. (We have seen it 7 times on Broadway.). I could have easily have been in the orchestra in NY for the price, but in Nashville was in the balcony.  We just don’t go because we have seen 90% of the shows a number of times before they get here. 

[Robbie2]

Posted: 7/29/25 at 11:36pm

any hints rumors where Dolly which house ? I know ATG is producing and we still don't have an idea where Evita is going yet or do we?

[Adeliciaboy]

Posted: 7/30/25 at 1:34am

Where has everybody been folks!?  I've been complaining about Dolly's cash grab since the show opened and I saw the third preview.

 A week before previews began I paid $195 for a seat in last row of the orchestra.  Only when I sat through it did I realize what a dud it was and complained loudly to the company when they sent me a survey to fill out.  I talked in postings too about what outrageous pricing they started with given what terrible shape the show was in.

The good news for some customers though tis hat ticket prices have begun to plummet now that the word is out about what a disaster the show is.

And you all are right about Nashville audiences.  I have a residence here and attend shows in the local Broadway subscription series.  I'll say this for the presenters.  They know the crowd they are marketing.to  -- most are unsophisticated provincial rubes who will pay outrageous prices for sixth rate touring productions.  And the producers know it and just keep sending out more lousy cheaply done productions.  But I have lost all hope that anything will change.  

Meanwhile we can watch and see what happens with this "Dolly."  Unless there is a miracle and they get a new director and a new book and a new song list, I  predict this show will bomb  big time in New York.

 But not to worry.  They will simply chop it in half and remount it at the  hugely popular Dollywood theme park, which is where it really belongs in its current state.

[shomeika]

Posted: 7/31/25 at 3:39pm

I guess official opening is this Friday.  Is anyone going then or right before? Curious as to the changes.  Have fun!

Updated On: 8/4/25 at 03:39 PM