Dolly Parton dies at 80

A musical co-written by the beloved country singer, based on her life and featuring her songs, is set to come to Broadway later this year.

Beloved country singer Dolly Parton has died at 80, mere months before her new bio-musical Dolly: A True Original Musical is set to start Broadway performances.

Parton was heavily involved with the musical, which tells her life story, up until her death. She co-wrote the script with two-time Emmy Award winner Maria S. Schlatter, and the show is set to her hit songs like “I Will Always Love You,” “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors,” and “9 to 5.” She also promoted the show via its official social media accounts, with the most recent video of Parton being posted to Instagram just yesterday.

"The girl from the mountains of East Tennessee with big dreams to change the world did just that. Thank you, Dolly. We will always love you," reads the caption on an Instagram post the account released today in response to Parton's death.

Dolly: A True Original Musical is set to start performances at the St. James Theatre on December 7 and open on January 19, which would have been Parton's 81st birthday. As of now, no changes to the show schedule have been announced.

Parton's death was announced by her family on August 25. No cause of death has been confirmed, though Parton recently revealed that she had been dealing with health issues.

Photo credit: Dolly Parton. (Photo courtesy of Dolly: A True Original Musical)