The creative team behind the forthcoming Broadway production, "Dolly: A True Original Musical," has shared the final words of guidance offered by the Queen of Country just days before her passing. During a recent "Business of Broadway" event hosted by Variety in New York City on Oct. 5, collaborators reflected on the legacy and final instructions left by the music legend, who died on Aug. 25 following a brief battle with cancer.
Lead producer Adam Speers and director Bartlett Sher recounted a pivotal conversation they held with Parton approximately 10 days before her death. According to Speers, Parton was transparent and firm about the project's future, telling the pair, "You’ve got to keep going! This is the show that I want to be on Broadway!" Speers also noted that Parton once shared a sentiment about her impact on the world, telling him that every night when she went to bed, she felt the world was a slightly different place for her being in it.
The production, which is scheduled to begin performances on Dec. 7 and hold its official opening on Jan. 19, involved deep collaboration from the singer. Maria S. Schlatter, a co-writer of the musical, maintained frequent contact with Parton in the months leading up to her death to ensure the show's development remained true to her vision. Actor Carrie St. Louis, one of the three performers cast to play Parton, described the legend as being highly involved in the process. "She was the first person in the building in the morning and the last person to leave," St. Louis shared. She further recalled that during breaks, rather than attending to her numerous other commitments, Parton would walk around the room to speak one-on-one with cast members and occasionally jam or sing with those playing the guitar.
Director Bartlett Sher highlighted Parton's prolific songwriting career, noting she crafted over 10,000 songs, often writing a new one every morning during her prayers. He described her systematic approach to recording, where she would either bring her team to the studio or have them meet her immediately to capture new material. Sher also confirmed that Parton wrote a specific song titled "Mountain Girl" for the stage production.
The musical explores three distinct stages of Parton's life, with actors Carrie St. Louis, Katie Rose Clarke, and Norah Nunes portraying the star. The cast also features Gabriel Ebert as early collaborator Porter Wagoner and John Behlmann as Carl Dean, Parton’s husband of nearly six decades who preceded her in death in 2025. Reflecting on the experience, Clarke admitted to feeling nervous about singing in front of the icon, recalling a moment when she apologized for missing lyrics to "Jolene," only for Parton to respond, "That’s okay, you’re doin’ great!"
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