Here she comes again.
Dolly Parton, 76, recently shared that while she’s long considered making a musical biopic or theater production telling the story of her nearly 66-year career, she’s – like most things – been delaying the project due to the coronavirus have.
“I was talking about doing my Broadway musical and we were really, really far away from that, and then COVID hit and it changed my mind about a whole lot of things,” Parton revealed during a recent appearance on Mr. Nashville Talks.”
However, the music legend and celebrated philanthropist hasn’t given up hope of bringing her to life in some form.
“I intend to be on Broadway one day, but I’m thinking now that I could do my life story as a feature film,” she said of a potential film. “Maybe even a musical feature, we’re in talks about that.”
Parton previously offered hope to other actresses, saying the project would likely need multiple women to portray her throughout her six-decade track record as entertainers.
“We would probably — as long as my career goes — have a small dolly and a medium dolly and then the older one,” she said in a 2021 interview with Southern Living magazine.
But one accomplished singer is practically a shoo-in to replicate her iconic blonde bombshell look and twangy classics as one of the Dolly doubles.
“I love Kristin Chenoweth,” Parton said of the 53-year-old Broadway star in a 2020 interview with Marie Claire. “She’s just absolutely amazing.”
Both Parton and Chenoweth have expressed their excitement and desire to work together on the project. WireImage
Luckily for fans of this dream casting, Parton isn’t the only one excited about the much-anticipated project. Chenoweth has also been open about her excitement at performing as “Backwoods Barbie,” even giving fans a mock audition.
During an appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show in 2021, guest host Jay Leno asked Chenoweth if she had plans to perform as Parton in a musical, noting that she clearly had the voice — both speaking and singing — for the role have.
“Well, I will. I’m missing a few things – and I think we both know what they are,” she joked, pointing her hands at her breasts.
She noted that Parton discussed her hopes for the “Wicked” star to portray her, but shared that there weren’t any solid plans for the project.
“Dolly, hurry up! I’m ready!” Chenoweth said to the camera. “I just grew up listening to her and, you know, I do a pretty good one…” before singing a perfect imitation of Parton’s classic hit “Here You Come Again.” .
Then she changed things up and sweetly sang a few lines of “Jolene,” apparently proving her right to be cast as Parton’s replica.
Dolly Parton still hopes to make a production about her six-decade career in entertainment. Getty Images