Move over, Jersey Boys! Grand Ole Opry icon Dolly Parton is writing a Broadway musical based on her rise to stardom. Will Carrie Underwood take center stage as the icon?
Dolly Parton‘s path to country music superstardom is being developed into a Broadway musical — and country cutie Carrie Underwood is a shoo-in for the lead role!
“I’m writing my life story as a musical for Broadway,” the songbird attached to the most famous bust in music told WENN Thursday.
And while Dolly plans to be very involved in the autobiographical production, the curvaceous country queen has no intention of playing herself.
She wants Carrie to do that.
“Dolly has been a mentor to Carrie since her career took off and respects her tremendously,” a theater community snitch squealed to the National Enquirer this month. “She thinks it would be a wonderful experience and career boost for Carrie.
Underwood reportedly feels honored to be Dolly’s first choice, but she’s nervous about making her acting debut under the brights of Broadway.
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We wonder if Carrie knows that she would be just the latest in a long line of former American Idol stars to stare fear (and biting critics) in the face for a run in the famed theater district?
Fantasia Barrino was handpicked by Oprah to star as Celie in the theatrical adaptation of The Color Purple. Constantine Maroulis was a huge hit in the Tony Award-winning ’80s rock tribute Rock of Ages. And don’t forget Jordin Sparks’ brief run in In the Heights last year.
“Carrie idolizes Dolly and is scared that she may not live up to her expectations. Performing on Broadway would be a huge challenge and she’s scared to death to commit to it.”
This will not be Parton’s first foray onto the Great White Way. A musical based on the screenplay of Dolly’s hit 1980 comedy, 9 to 5, served as the seven-time Grammy winner’s Broadway debut in 2009.
Dolly even composed the show’s original score.
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After 148 performances, the lights at Manhattan’s Marriott Marquis Theatre went dim on 9 to 5: The Musical in September 2009. The production failed to become a huge hit with audiences, but was nominated for four Tony Awards — including Best Original Score, Best Actress in a Musical (Allison Janney), Best Featured Actor in a Musical (Marc Kudisch) and Best Choreography.
Dolly says she couldn’t be more proud of the show’s critical reception. She hopes the lessons she’s learned will help her make her musical life story an even bigger hit.
“9 to 5 didn’t make it on Broadway, but it didn’t sour me. I learned all this stuff from it,” she surmised.
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