As DOLLY Heads to Broadway, Kristin Chenoweth, Megan Hilty and More Pay Tribute to Dolly Parton

When DOLLY: A True Original Musical arrives on Broadway in December, its subject and creator will sadly not be there to see it. Dolly Parton died on August 25 at age 80, just months after the autobiographical musical had its world premiere in Nashville. Featuring her greatest hits alongside new songs written for the stage, DOLLY is the latest chapter in Parton’s long relationship with musical theater. She previously wrote the music and lyrics for 9 to 5, the 2009 Broadway musical based on the beloved 1980 comedy she starred in alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, which featured Allison Janney, Stephanie J. Block and Megan Hilty. Following news of Parton’s passing, tributes poured in from across the theater community, including artists who worked with her, were inspired by her and helped bring her music to the stage. As Broadway prepares to celebrate her remarkable life and legacy with this new musical, here are some of the touching remembrances shared by its brightest stars.

Megan Hilty
Hilty originated the part of Doralee Rhodes in 9 to 5, who Parton had played on screen. In an Instagram post, Hilty shared a photo of herself in costume alongside Parton, with the accompanying caption: “She made more of an impact on me than I can express in an Instagram post and this deep and profound loss will take quite some time to process. I am so grateful to have been in her orbit and we are all so lucky this actual angel walked among us.”

Stephanie J. Block
Block played the straight-laced office employee Judy Bernly in 9 to 5 and dueted with Parton on her album This Place I Know. Their duet, a cover of Parton’s iconic ballad “I Will Always Love You,” was shared to social media by Block along with pictures of them together (including shots of Parton holding the Broadway.com Audience Choice Award she won for Favorite New Song!). Janney also posted a tribute to her Instagram account, writing, “[Parton] had that rare ability to light up every room she walked into, not just with her extraordinary talent, but with her graciousness, her humor, and the love and support she gave so generously to everyone in this cast. There was something truly magical about being in her presence.”

Jeremy Jordan
Broadway leading man Jeremy Jordan played Parton’s grandson in the 2012 comedy Joyful Noise. Jordan took to social media to share pictures of him and Parton on set, as well as shots of the music legend visiting him backstage at Bonnie and Clyde on Broadway. For his accompanying caption, Jordan wrote, “Joyful Noise was my first film, and from the first moment [Parton] walked in, the room lit up, and that light lingered long after she left. She radiated an infectious sunshine. She talked to everyone, it didn't matter who you were. She didn't have to, but she spent so much time chatting with my family on set. She had pet names for me, she wrote a song that I got to sing WITH HER. I had to keep reminding myself that none of this was normal.”

Kristin Chenoweth
It doesn’t take a detective to clock the similarities between Kristin Chenoweth and Parton. Both are diminutive southern belles with big voices, big personalities and arsenal of bedazzled ensembles. Naturally, Chenoweth has cited Parton as an influence throughout her career. The two of them had their own duet of “I Will Always Love You” on Chenoweth’s 2019 album, For The Girls. Across multiple social media platforms, Chenoweth shared her condolences, calling Parton her “ultimate inspiration” and writing, “The world has lost one of the best but I know we will never forget her because she is impossible to forget. I love you Dolly and I will ALWAYS love you.”

Kelli O’Hara
Tony winner Kelli O’Hara partook in an early workshop of Parton’s forthcoming biomusical. The celebrated songbird shared two pictures of her with Parton on Instagram with the caption, “#RIP you beautiful, singular, epic and inspirational queen.”

Kerry Butler
Broadway mainstay Kerry Butler was also involved in the development of DOLLY: A True Original Story. In a heartfelt tribute posted to social media, Butler reflected on Parton’s legacy and values. “Aside from her incredible music, she did so much to help those in need. She set up Dollywood to bring jobs back to that town. She had a library of books for underprivileged kids to read,” wrote Butler. “She was an LGBTQ+ ally before most people were, when being an ally could actually cost her something. She was the type of Christian I aspire to be.”

Marc Kudisch
Marc Kudisch, who played a lecherous boss in 9 to 5 on Broadway, shared memories of working with Parton on Instagram. “Every day of rehearsals, decked out in a new outfit! Every day, ready to tackle the day’s work, ready to take on whatever challenges were in her way. Every night she’d baked us all lemon squares to bring to rehearsals the next day, or mud cake, or whatever else she thought we’d enjoy,” revealed Kudisch. “She never stopped working- she’d [come] in with new music and play it on her nails, or her guitar, and she was NEVER anything but pure positivity.”

Jinkx Monsoon
Stage darling and two-time RuPaul’s Drag Race winner Jinkx Monsoon posted a throwback picture of her dressed as Parton. In her short and sweet tribute, Monsoon wrote, “The first Queen I worshiped—rest in power, goddess.”