Dolly Parton launched a search for a newcomer to play her (Image: Getty)
Country music queen Dolly Parton wants to transform the fortunes of an unknown singer by playing a younger version of herself. The Jolene and 9 to 5 icon, 78, has launched a coast-to-coast casting call in America to find a talented newcomer to portray her in the upcoming stage production Dolly: An Original Musical. In an online appeal to wannabes, she urges: “I want to give you the chance to help bring my story to Broadway and maybe even play me. This is your big moment to take centre stage and step into the spotlight.”
Dolly, who released her first album in 1967 and has gone on to win 11 Grammy Awards from an astonishing 50 nominations, instructed hopefuls to submit audition tapes via DollyMusical.com and tag their reels with #SearchForDolly. A “select few” will be called to audition for Dolly and the musical’s casting director who will award the lead role and an understudy role. The musical, first announced by the singer at the Country Music Awards in June, is expected to debut on Broadway in 2026. Dolly promised: “You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll clap, you’ll stomp. We want it to truly be a Grand Ol’ Opera.”