Dolly Parton is one of the most notable country artists of our time. Her work spans generations, so it’s no wonder a namesake musical is headed our way. Back in January, Parton announced Dolly: An Original Musical would have its world premiere at Belmont University’s Fisher Center for the Performing Arts in Nashville, Tennessee, before heading to Broadway in 2026.
“I am Tennessee born and raised, and Nashville has been my musical home for over 60 years,” Parton said of the musical. “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.”
And while the announcement of the show was a huge moment for country fans and Dolly Parton lovers alike, the real virality around the musical began on TikTok, when the official musical social accounts announced an open video casting call. Auditions flooded the platform, and so did critiques of those auditions.
In the current age of social media, online casting calls have become rather normal, especially when trying to cast a broader net to find talent. Videos were constantly going viral, with viewers comparing submissions with one another — from the use of standard blue backdrops to similar fitting denim outfits, everyone was tuned into who’d potentially be having their leading moment playing the legend that is Dolly Parton. Below we’ve gathered everything we know so far about the coming Dolly musical, including potential casting frontrunners, so that you’re up-to-date.
What is Dolly: An Original Musical about?
Dolly: An Original Musical will take viewers on a journey through the life of the “rhinestone in the rough,” star Dolly Parton. From her beginnings in the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee to performing under the bright lights of Hollywood, the show is set to explore every part of Parton’s life. It will also feature a slew of her iconic and most notable hits, like “I Will Always Love You,” “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors,” and “9 to 5.”
The musical will also feature some new songs written by Parton herself; it will explore the “rags-to-riches” story of Dolly Parton and give us a new insight into her triumphs, trials, and trailblazing career. It’ll be directed by Tony Award winner Bartlett Sher with a book by Parton and Maria S. Schlatter.
Who were the top TikTok stars?
Because the musical did an open video submission casting call, we saw a few applicants rise to the top with the support of the internet. The first famously being Elyse Bell. Her audition has over 7 million views, with many of the 4,000 comments saying that she needs to play Dolly.
Another top contender is Haley Spence from Los Angeles. The singer is a part of a band called The Doohickeys. Her audition was revered as a natural and alluring Dolly rendition. Another star of the TikTok casting was Kelly O’Brien. O’Brien is an England-based impersonator of Dolly Parton. She is the only Parton impersonator actually endorsed by the Parton family.
Elyse Bell
TikTok content
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Haley Spence
TikTok content
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Kelly O’Brien
TikTok content
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Who will be in the cast?
While we know officially from the Dolly musical social media accounts who received a callback, the final cast has yet to be announced. But we’re on the case to see who might snag the leading role. If the TikTok sleuths are right, an overheard conversation by a TikTok user claimed that Elyse Bell was a “top contender” to get the role. But we’ll know more very soon.
