Five people pose for a studio portrait in a professional photography setup.

Photo credit: John Behlmann, Norah Nunes, Katie Rose Clarke, Carrie St. Louis, and Gabriel Ebert. (Photo by Matthew Murphy)

'Dolly: A True Original Musical' completes Broadway cast

Five actors, all chosen by Dolly Parton before her death in August, will lead the cast as the country music singer, her husband, and her longtime performing partner.

Summary

  • The Broadway cast of Dolly: A True Original Musical includes Katie Rose Clarke, Carrie St. Louis, and Norah Nunes as Dolly Parton alongside John Behlmann and Gabriel Ebert
  • Parton chose all five stars before her death in August 2026
  • The musical about Dolly Parton's life is set to her hit songs and was co-written by Parton and Maria S. Schlatter
Gillian Russo
Gillian Russo

Yeehaw! Complete casting has been set for Dolly Parton's Dolly: A True Original Musical on Broadway ahead of its run at the St. James Theatre, which starts December 7 ahead of a January 19 opening.

Crystal Kellogg completes the principal cast as Parton's lifelong best friend, Judy Ogle, alongside five previously announced performers handpicked by Parton: Katie Rose Clarke (Merrily We Roll Along) as Dolly Parton, Carrie St. Louis (Just in Time) as Dolly, Norah Nunes as Little Dolly, John Behlmann (Shucked) as Carl Dean, and Gabriel Ebert (Matilda, John Proctor Is the Villain) as Porter Wagoner.

The ensemble includes Piper Allen, Bill Army, Josh Canfield, Lincoln Cohen, Ryan Demoville, Haley Fish, Sarah Hunt, Erin Kei, Evan Kinnane, Ryland J. Mar, Jenny Mollet, James Moye, Julian Ramos, Larkin Reilly, Maddie Robert, Alex Ross, and Quinn VanAntwerp. Sarah Bockel, Sadie Daniels, Tiffany Engen, Michael Milkanin, and Rixey Terry are swings.

Before her death in August, Parton co-wrote the musical about her life and career with Maria S. Schlatter. The show is set to Parton's hit songs, like "Jolene," "9 to 5," "Coat of Many Colors," and "I Will Always Love You," alongside original tunes for the stage. Tony winner Bartlett Sher directs, and Emmy winner Mandy Moore choreographs.

The music team includes music supervisor Stephen Oremus, music director Charity Wicks, orchestrator John Clancy, musical consultant Kent Wells, and vocal and music arrangers Richard Dennison and Gregg Perry, Parton's longtime collaborators.

The creative team includes scenic designer Derek McLane, costume designer Jennifer Moeller, lighting designer Donald Holder, sound designer Peter Hylenski, video designers Nathan Amzi and Joe Ransom, hair designer Robert Pickens, makeup designer Studio Pickens, and production stage manager Michael J. Passaro.

Check back for information on Dolly: A True Original Musical tickets on New York Theatre Guide.

Frequently asked questions

How do you book tickets for Dolly: A True Original Musical?

Book tickets for Dolly: A True Original Musical on New York Theatre Guide.

Where is Dolly: A True Original Musical playing?

Dolly: A True Original Musical is playing at St James Theatre. The theatre is located at 246 West 44th Street (between Broadway and 8th Avenue), New York, 10036.

What is Dolly: A True Original Musical about?

Dolly: A True Original Musical follows the life of a true music icon: Dolly Parton. Tracing the Queen of Country's rise to fame, this jukebox musical gives personal insights into Parton’s career and life, all set to her greatest hits plus new songs written specifically for this Broadway premiere.

What songs are in Dolly: A True Original Musical?

Audiences can expect to hear fan-favorite songs like “I Will Always Love You,” “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors,” and “9 to 5” in Dolly: A True Original Musical. Dolly Parton is also contributing new songs to the score.

Who directs Dolly: A True Original Musical?

Tony Award winner Bartlett Sher directs Dolly: A True Original Musical on Broadway. He is known for his lush Lincoln Center productions and revivals of beloved musicals.

Who wrote Dolly: A True Original Musical?

Dolly Parton herself wrote the songs in Dolly: A True Original Musical, and she also co-wrote the script with Maria S. Schlatter.

Originally published on

Subscribe to our newsletter to unlock exclusive New York theatre updates!

  • Get early access to Broadway's newest shows
  • Access to exclusive deals and promotions
  • Stay in the know about top shows and news on Broadway
  • Get updates on shows that are important to you

You can unsubscribe at any time. Privacy Policy