Dolly Parton Musical Announces Broadway Cast And 30,000 Free Tickets

New casting has been announced for the Broadway arrival of DOLLY: A True Original Musical, while producers have also revealed plans to offer 30,000 free tickets.

Katie Rose Clarke will star as Dolly Parton alongside Carrie St. Louis, with both performers reprising their roles from the musical’s 2025 world premiere in Nashville.

Norah Nunes will play Little Dolly after previously appearing in the premiere’s ensemble and being discovered through the national Search For Dolly open call.

John Behlmann will also reprise his role as Carl Dean for the Broadway production.

Joining the company for the first time will be Tony Award winner Gabriel Ebert as Porter Waggoner, with further casting still to be announced.

The musical tells Parton’s story through some of her best-known songs alongside new music written for the production. Parton worked with Maria S. Schlatter on the book, while Tony winner Bartlett Sher returns to direct after leading the Nashville premiere.

Alongside the casting news, producers are working with the New York City Department of Education to make 30,000 tickets available free to public school students.

Schools will be able to apply for group visits, while individual students will also have the chance to receive up to two tickets to attend with a parent or guardian.

DOLLY: A True Original Musical begins performances at the St. James Theatre on 7 December, before officially opening on 19 January 2027, which would have been Parton’s 81st birthday.