When it comes to telling the story of Dolly Parton, one leading lady just won’t cut it. You need three. Dolly isn’t just a person. She’s an era, a movement, and a voice that’s carried across decades of rhinestone dreams and country grit.
Dolly: An Original Musical will debut in Nashville this summer before heading to Broadway in 2026. And now, the production has revealed the powerhouse trio who’ll step into Dolly’s high heels. Quinn Titcomb, Carrie St. Louis, and Katie Rose Clarke will each portray Dolly during a different chapter of her journey — from the Smoky Mountains to the global stage.
Titcomb, who will portray young Dolly, brings serious theater cred. She’s performed in national tours and regional productions of Waitress, Frozen, Les Misérables, The Sound of Music, and Fun Home. This role fits like a glove for a performer who knows how to blend innocence with steel.
Carrie St. Louis will take on Dolly’s rising star years. She’s already made waves on Broadway with roles in Kinky Boots, Wicked, and Rock of Ages. Most recently, she starred in the Off-Broadway comedy Titanique, where her vocal chops and sharp timing took center stage.
Rounding out the cast, Katie Rose Clarke will play modern-day Dolly. A familiar name on Broadway, Clarke’s standout roles in Miss Saigon, Merrily We Roll Along, and The Light in the Piazza show her range and depth. She’s also worked with director Bartlett Sher before, adding another chemistry layer to this already dynamic team.
The musical is no jukebox cash-in. Dolly is co-writing the book with Maria S. Schlatter and writing original music for the show. Of course, fans can expect to hear some of the classics, too. The story will follow Dolly’s life from her barefoot beginnings in East Tennessee to international fame.
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The production premieres at Belmont University’s Fisher Center in Nashville, running from July 18 through August 31, with an official opening night on August 8. There’s no better place to launch this story than Music City, where Dolly’s roots run deep.
While none of the three leads came from the show’s national casting competition, The Search for Dolly, two performers from that process will join the Nashville cast. Additional casting and creative details are still to come.
Shop Dolly Parton
- Behind the Seams: My Life in RhinestonesBook · 2023The stories behind her stage outfits, written with Holly George-WarrenSee it on Amazon
- Dolly Parton’s Favorite Yellow Cake MixBaking · Duncan HinesFrom her Duncan Hines baking lineSee it on Amazon
- JoleneVinylWith “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You”See it on Amazon
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If there’s one thing this casting choice makes clear, it’s that Dolly: An Original Musical isn’t interested in surface-level sparkle. It’s after the soul of a woman who has broken barriers, rewritten rules, and stood tall in the spotlight without ever forgetting where she came from.
With three voices carrying her story, Dolly’s life is about to hit Broadway with all the grit, heart, and humor that made her a legend. And judging by the cast, she’ll get the tribute she deserves — loud, proud, and sung in three-part harmony.
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