Global icon Dolly Parton has officially announced the world premiere of ‘Dolly: An Original Musical' set to debut this summer at the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts on Belmont University’s campus in Nashville. The highly anticipated musical, which chronicles Parton’s legendary life and career, will run for a limited four-week engagement before making its way to Broadway in 2026.
Previews begin on Friday, July 18, with an official opening night on August 8 and a final performance on August 17. Tickets, starting at just $40, are available now at www.dollymusical.com or by calling the Fisher Center Box Office at 615-460-2255.
Dolly Returns to Her Musical Home
Speaking about the world premiere, Parton shared her excitement for launching the show in Music City.
“I am Tennessee born and raised, and Nashville has been my musical home for over 60 years. So, this is the right and perfect place to present the world premiere of my life story as a musical. Right here in Nashville, at the beautiful Belmont University’s Fisher Center.”
This marks a historic first for the Fisher Center, as it plays host to the debut of a major musical production featuring a professional cast and creative team.
A Star-Studded Creative Team
The musical will feature a score by Parton, blending some of her most iconic hits with new songs written exclusively for the show. The script, co-written by Parton and Maria S. Schlatter, will be brought to life under the direction of Tony Award® winner Bartlett Sher. The production is backed by an impressive team, including producers Parton, Danny Nozell, ATG Productions, and Gavin Kalin Productions.
Casting and additional creative team members will be announced in the coming weeks.
Dolly U: An Educational Partnership
Alongside the musical’s debut, Parton and her team have partnered with Belmont University to launch Dolly U, an immersive educational experience that allows students to gain hands-on involvement in the production. Through specialized courses in marketing, branding, and merchandising, students will work directly with the show’s cast, creatives, and producers while earning course credit.
The program also included a national talent search, “The Search for Dolly,” in which students served as production assistants and casting ambassadors. The results of the search will be revealed soon.
For more updates and information on Dolly: An Original Musical, visit www.dollymusical.com.
