Dolly Parton’s Broadway Musical Snags Tony-Winning Director
By Movieguide® Contributor
Tony Award-winning director Bartlett Sher will be directing Dolly Parton’s upcoming Broadway musical, HELLO, I’M DOLLY.
“How lucky I am to have the great Bartlett Sher direct my HELLO, I’M DOLLY musical,” Parton said in a statement about Sher’s hiring. “When you decide to put your whole life up on stage, you hope and pray to find the right director with the right creativity and sensitivity to present all the blood, sweat, tears, light, love, and laughter that I’ve experienced over seven decades of living. My heart tells me that Bartlett is the man and the director for the job.”
Sher’s previous director’s credits include SOUTH PACIFIC, MY FAIR LADY, OSLO, THE KING AND I, GOLDEN BOY, COME AND GONE and THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA. He won a Tony for his work on SOUTH PACIFIC.
Sher said, “Dolly is one of the great songwriters in the American canon, and being entrusted with the opportunity to help her translate that glorious talent into the American musical theater is not only an honor, but absolutely a thrill. As a young man growing up in San Francisco, I was a huge fan of the Grateful Dead. Their favorite vocal artist was Dolly Parton, and so is mine.”
Parton announced HELLO, I’M DOLLY earlier this year.
“I’ve been writing my life story as a Broadway musical for several years and I’m proud to announce we are finally developing ‘Hello, I’m Dolly – An Original Musical’ for the Broadway stage,” the country icon said.
Movieguide® previously reported on HELLO, I’M DOLLY:
In another statement about HELLO, I’M DOLLY, the singer said she has “lived my whole life to see this show on stage.”
“I’ve written many original songs for the show and included all your favorites in it as well,” Parton revealed. “You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll clap, you’ll stomp; it truly is a Grand Ol’ Opera. Pun and fun intended. Don’t miss it!”
In addition to providing the music, Parton is also co-writing the show’s book alongside Maria S. Schlatter. The pair previously worked together on 2020’s CHRISTMAS ON THE SQUARE.
Producer Adam Speers said, “I first had the pleasure of working with Dolly Parton in 2019 when she trusted us to develop a new version of her musical ‘9 to 5’ for London’s West End. I had always heard she wanted to do a musical based on her life, so when she asked if I would be interested in producing it, I was bowled over.”
“As the world knows, Dolly is a magical blend of talent, hard work, intelligence, charm, wit and a gigantically big heart,” he continued. “I’m thrilled we’re going to bring her inspiring story to Broadway.”
HELLO, I’M DOLLY is expected to open on Broadway in 2026.
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