The Scene

Dolly Parton Taking Her Life Story to Broadway

Published on Friday, January 06 2012
Written by Katie Marzullo

Country songs are almost always about the plight of the humble everyman, written by those singer-songwriters who have lived it firsthand. It’s not surprising, then, that the dramatic life stories of these country music legends usually turn into movie gold. Just ask Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline, and Tammy Wynette. At last, it looks like we can add Dolly Parton to that list!

Dolly is already starting the year off with a bang, returning to the big screen in A Joyful Noise on January 13. The veteran of other such memorable films as 9 to 5, Steel Magnolias, and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas is basking in her first major movie role in almost two decades, and she’s taking full advantage of her reappearance in the spotlight!

To that end, Dolly has revealed that she’s moving full steam ahead with a Broadway musical based on her life! Why not a movie? Because a mere movie screen can’t contain the Dollyness, that’s why. Girlfriend needs a STAGE!

The show will reportedly follow Dolly’s poor (of course) upbringing in a one-room cabin in Tennessee with her eleven brothers and sisters, all the way to her conquering of the country music scene in the late-1960s and beyond. Sure, sounds bleak, but in true Dolly fashion, she’ll no doubt infuse her signature bubbly personality and positive attitude into the piece and make it all in good fun!

Of course, the big question remains – who in the world would possibly play Dolly?? Some are speculating that Dolly’s goddaughter Miley Cyrus will be a frontrunner, but honestly I can’t see it. And not for the, ahem, obvious reasons (both of them…).

Who do YOU think should play Dolly in a stage musical about her life? How much do you think the wig budget will be?

 

- Katie Marzullo, YH Staff Editor

@YHKatie