Dolly Parton musical opens tour in Princeton on 14 November 2026

Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol opens its 2026 national tour in Princeton, West Virginia, on 14 November 2026 at the Chuck Mathena Center. The holiday musical has music and lyrics by Dolly Parton, with a book by David H. Bell.

Princeton hosts Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol

The official tour announcement says the 2026 national tour will kick off on 14 November in Princeton, West Virginia, and names Chuck Mathena Center as the venue. It describes the production as a holiday musical visiting more than 20 cities across the United States. The schedule sets out a route through West Virginia, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Nebraska and several other states before its 23 December stop in Indianapolis.

Right Angle Entertainment and Paul T. Couch are named as producers. David H. Bell, Paul T. Couch and Curt Wollan are credited with the stage adaptation, while Antoinette DiPietropolo is credited with direction and choreography. The official page also names Parton as the writer of the music and lyrics.

Dolly Parton's country writing shapes the Christmas musical

Parton was born in Sevier County, Tennessee, and grew up in the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee. Her catalogue connects country songwriting with bluegrass, pop and gospel colours, and she is also credited as a multi-instrumentalist, producer and actor. The Country Music Hall of Fame profile describes her as a country songwriter and singer whose work crossed into pop music.

The move from country songwriting to a Christmas narrative places the musical’s Appalachian setting alongside Parton’s documented Smoky Mountain roots. The story is set in the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee and imagines Ebenezer Scrooge as the owner of a mining company town. On Christmas Eve, a snowstorm approaches and three ghosts lead him towards a changed view of life.

The production continues through Indianapolis on 23 December

After the Princeton opening, the listed schedule moves to Morgantown for performances on 15 and 16 November 2026 at Lyell B. Clay Concert Theatre. It then lists Huntington on 17 November 2026. Later stops include Detroit on 11 and 12 December 2026 and Indianapolis on 23 December 2026 at Clowes Hall.

The MusicRow schedule gives the same Princeton date and venue while detailing the wider United States route.

Dolly Parton: what fans in Germany need to know

• 14 November 2026: Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol opens at Chuck Mathena Center in Princeton, West Virginia.
• 15 and 16 November 2026: further performances are listed at Lyell B. Clay Concert Theatre in Morgantown, West Virginia.
• Dolly Parton provides the music and lyrics, while David H. Bell wrote the book.
• Official dates and performance information are listed at smokymountainchristmascarol.com.

Dolly Parton on social media and streaming platforms

These links open a search for Dolly Parton on each platform.

Dolly Parton: frequently asked questions

When does Dolly Parton's musical open in Princeton?

It opens on 14 November 2026 at Chuck Mathena Center in Princeton, West Virginia.

Where does Dolly Parton's musical go after Princeton?

The schedule lists Morgantown on 15 and 16 November 2026, then Huntington on 17 November 2026.

Who wrote Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol?

Dolly Parton wrote the music and lyrics; David H. Bell wrote the book, with Bell, Paul T. Couch and Curt Wollan credited for the stage adaptation.