{
  "id": 11481616,
  "title": "Cast of ‘Dolly: A True Original Musical’ Broadway Production Revealed",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/cast-of-dolly-a-true-original-musical-broadway-production-revealed",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-02T16:50:39.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Billboard",
    "slug": "billboard",
    "url": "https://www.billboard.com/music/country/cast-dolly-a-true-original-musical-broadway-production-parton-1236353154/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Broadway's upcoming production of Dolly: A True Original Musical has announced its five lead cast members. Katie Rose Clarke, known for her role in Merrily We Roll Along, will reprise her portrayal of Dolly Parton in this new Broadway adaptation. Stella Lefty, from Saturday Night Live's sketch roasting the debate around songwriting credits, takes on the title role of \"Dolly.\" Carrie St. Louis, from Just in Time, will play the ambitious and talented singer/songwriter \"Little Dolly.\" Norah Nunes, a 11-year-old finalist from the \"Search For Dolly\" online open casting call, will portray the young Dolly. Grammy nominee John Behlmann will play Parton's late husband Carl Dean, while Tony-winner Gabriel Ebert will portray early Parton mentor and collaborator Porter Wagoner. The show is set to begin previews on December 7, 2026, and open on January 19, 2027, marking what would have been Parton's 81st birthday.",
  "summary": "In honor of late country icon Dolly Parton's commitment to inspiring children, 30,000 free tickets will be handed out to students during the show's first year.",
  "key_points": [
    "Katie Rose Clarke returns as Dolly Parton",
    "Stella Lefty stars as title role Dolly",
    "Carrie St. Louis plays Little Dolly"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Consequence",
        "title": "Dolly Parton Broadway Musical Reveals Lead Cast, Offers 30,000 Free Student Tickets",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/dolly-parton-broadway-musical-reveals-lead-cast-offers-30-000-free",
        "published": "2026-10-02T14:46:52.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Deadline",
        "title": "Dolly Parton Broadway Musical Sets Its Lead Cast With Katie Rose Clarke As Dolly",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/dolly-parton-broadway-musical-sets-its-lead-cast-with-katie-rose",
        "published": "2026-10-02T16:01:15.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}