Dolly Parton musical coming to Broadway

"Dolly" is coming to Broadway, though it's not the same Dolly whom theatergoers have said "Hello" to a few times before.

Come winter, "Dolly: A True Original Musical" about the life of country music legend Dolly Parton will open at Manhattan's St. James Theatre, producers announced on Tuesday. Previews are set to begin on Dec. 7 with the show's official opening set for Parton's 81st birthday on Jan. 19.

"Just like the title says, I mean true in every sense of the word," Parton said in a video announcing the show. "This isn't a story about sparkle and shine on the outside. This is about where I really come from — where I've lived, what I've lost, what I've loved and how I found my way and told it in my own words and through the music that's been part of me every step of the journey."

Parton added that the musical will include many of her biggest hits ("I Will Always Love You" and "Jolene") as well as a number of original songs that she's written. Her previous Broadway credits include penning the songs for the 1993 holiday show "Candles, Snow & Mistletoe" and the 2009 musical "9 to 5," based on her hit 1980 movie comedy.

"Dolly" will be helmed by Bartlett Sher, who won Tony Awards for the 2008 revival of "South Pacific" and the current hit "Ragtime." The book is by Maria S. Schlatter, who co-wrote the Emmy Award-winning screenplay for the 2020 Netflix movie "Christmas on the Square" with Parton. The cast will be chosen at a later date.

The show debuted last summer in Nashville, not far from the suburb of Brentwood, Tennessee, where Parton lives.

"During our world premiere in Nashville, I was overwhelmed by the deep connection audiences have with Dolly. You mention her name and people light up and share a time that she has inspired them and brought them joy," Sher said in a statement. "But despite all of that genuine love, Dolly has never really shared her story before. She’s offered glimpses and peeks, but this musical allows her to reveal the unfiltered story in her own words."

Parton's fans can sign up at dollymusical.com for a presale that begins Wednesday at 10 a.m. and runs through 9:59 a.m. Friday or until tickets sell out. Tickets for the general public go on sales Friday at 10 a.m.

"My whole life has been a musical," Parton said in a statement. "A grand ole opera really and I can’t wait to present it to you on Broadway. I hope you enjoy watching as much as I’ve enjoyed livin’ it."