Dolly Parton Selected Lead Cast for Broadway Musical
The musical features five lead actors who will portray the country icon and her life partners.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Children’s Theater
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Dolly Parton has personally selected the five leading actors for her upcoming Broadway musical, Dolly: A True Original Musical. The production features actors portraying Parton at different life stages alongside the men who played key roles in her personal history.
Why it matters
The casting decisions provide a narrative framework for the stage adaptation of the artist's life. This musical aims to bring her personal story to a national audience through a theatrical exploration of her career and her long-term marriage.
The production cast five lead actors, including three performers who will portray Dolly Parton at different life stages. Gabriel Ebert and John Behlmann, both with roots in Colorado, have been selected to portray Porter Wagoner and Carl Dean.
The players
Dolly Parton
She is a globally renowned country music singer-songwriter and actress.
Gabriel Ebert
He is a stage actor who graduated from the Denver School of the Arts in 2005.
John Behlmann
He is an actor who completed his MFA at the National Theatre Conservatory in 2006.
Katie Rose Clarke
She is a Broadway actress selected to portray a stage of Dolly Parton's life.
Carrie St. Louis
She is a performer joining the production to portray Dolly Parton.
The details
Katie Rose Clarke, Carrie St. Louis, and Norah Nunes have been cast to play Parton, while Gabriel Ebert and John Behlmann fill the roles of Porter Wagoner and Carl Dean. The production utilizes a video release to introduce the company and build anticipation ahead of the upcoming Broadway residency.
Timeline
Dolly Parton and Carl Dean were married in 1966.
Carl Dean died in 2025.
Preview performances begin Dec. 7 at the St. James Theatre.
The official opening night is scheduled for Jan. 19, 2027.
Industry Dynamics
This production follows the strategic development path established by the 2025 Nashville world premiere. The Broadway transition highlights the ongoing trend of adapting major musical icons into large-scale theatrical franchises.
Theatergoers can plan for the production's start at the St. James Theatre beginning this December. Tickets and official casting updates for the full ensemble will be available through standard Broadway box office channels leading up to the 2027 opening.
The takeaway
The selection of actors with deep roots in Colorado reflects a commitment to regional talent development in professional theater. This production marks a significant expansion of the artist's legacy into the competitive Broadway landscape.
What happens next
Preview performances of the musical are scheduled to begin on Dec. 7 at the St. James Theatre in New York City, followed by the grand opening on Jan. 19, 2027.
Further reading
Learn more about upcoming performances on the Children’s Theater page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Colorado Springs Gazette.
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