I recently attended Dolly Parton's first full Broadway production musical, Dolly : A True Original Musical, sitting just one row away from the superstar...such a thrill.
Dolly is testing out the play based on her life on audiences in Tennessee through August before taking it to Broadway next year.
The crowd at the sold-out Fisher Center Theatre at Belmont University was electric, jumping up and down and screaming as Dolly made a surprise appearance, walking out onto stage, with no introduction, to welcome everyone to the show. As Dolly noted, this is the first time she has written a Broadway musical, music and storyline. And not only did she include many of her biggest hit songs in the show , but also many new songs.
The play takes you from Dolly's childhood and her mama's concerns over Dolly's love of music and makeup leading to a sinful lifestyle onto her move to Nashville, falling in love with her husband and working with Grand Ole Opry and tv star, Porter Wagoner. Through it all, Dolly shares the good and the bad and the mistakes she made. Spreading her wings in Hollywood and the cost of fame lead into a deeper understanding of the icon. All in all, it is very revealing and candid.
The casting is spectacular. And the show is filled with great comedic, sassy one liners from Dolly at all ages. And most importantly, the music makes you want to sing along, but as Dolly jokingly told the audience, "You'll want to sing, but this ain't no hootenanny, so just enjoy the show."
The current run in Nashville has been extended by audience demand. For more information, visit www.thefishercenter.com.
