Dolly Parton Celebrates Nashville Premiere of DOLLY: A True Original Musical With Star-Studded Red Carpet
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Music City rolled out the pink carpet on Friday, August 8, 2025, as Dolly Parton and an array of family, friends, and celebrities gathered for the Nashville premiere of DOLLY: A True Original Musical at The Fisher Center for the Performing Arts at Belmont University. The evening marked a landmark moment for the show, which is running in Nashville through August 31 before making its way to Broadway in 2026.
Parton, dazzling in a pink rhinestone-studded gown decorated with pearls, butterflies, and shimmering embellishments, was greeted with cheers from fans and media. Speaking on the red carpet, she shared just how meaningful the production is to her personally. “I’ve lived my whole life to see this show on stage,” she said. “I’ve written many original songs for the show and included all your favorites in it as well. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll clap, you’ll stomp — it truly is a Grand Ol’ Opera. Pun and fun intended.”
For Parton, some of the show’s most emotional moments came when her late husband, Carl Dean, was portrayed onstage. “So many of those moments are in the play,” she told Music Mayhem. “Especially anything to do with Carl, my husband, who I loved more than life. Seeing John Behlmann play Carl is just a joy and a sadness. I cry, and I laugh. It’s a real high point for me.”
The celebration began earlier in the evening in the venue’s Paisley Ballroom, where actors, musicians, and longtime collaborators joined the Parton family for a private gathering. Notable guests included Nikki Sixx of Mötley Crüe and wife Courtney Sixx, Zac Brown with fiancée Kendra Scott, Christian pop duo FOR KING & COUNTRY, songwriter Desmond Child, Grand Ole Opry legend Bill Anderson, and actors such as Danica McKellar. Country performers including Annie Bosko, Becca Bowen, and Mason Ramsey also attended, along with influencers and rising artists.
The show’s creative team and cast walked the carpet together. Director Bartlett Sher praised Parton’s artistry, saying, “A great artist is a great thing, and we have one of the greatest artists working in America. She’s been so honest in how she uses music to bring people together and change the world.” Producer Maria S. Schlatter echoed the sentiment: “Dolly’s work ethic and her desire to give back make her an extraordinary example of true happiness and purpose.”
The cast includes Carrie St. Louis, Katie Rose Clarke, and Quinn Titcomb portraying Parton across different stages of her life, alongside John Zdrojeski as Porter Wagoner and John Behlmann as Carl Dean. St. Louis reflected on her experience working with the legend: “She is a clear channel to a higher power, and we are so lucky to live in the same time as Dolly Parton. She’s been at rehearsals every day, her fingerprints are all over this production.”
St. Louis recalled one unforgettable rehearsal moment: “I sang Coat of Many Colors for the first time for her, and she started harmonizing with me across the room. I almost passed out! Afterward, everyone was crying, and Dolly hugged me and said how beautiful it was. That was the moment I knew I could do anything.”
Parton’s relatives — including Heidi Parton, Jada Star Roberts, and Rebecca Seaver — were also on hand to witness the milestone premiere.
DOLLY: A True Original Musical, written by Parton and Schlatter and directed by Sher, tells the story of her rise from humble roots in the Smoky Mountains to international stardom. Featuring hits like Jolene, I Will Always Love You, Coat of Many Colors, and 9 to 5, alongside new songs penned for the production, the musical is both a celebration of Dolly’s legacy and an intimate portrait of her journey.
For now, Nashville audiences have until August 31 to experience the show at The Fisher Center, before Broadway prepares to welcome Dolly’s story to an even larger stage in 2026.