Loretta Lynn’s life story to be a Broadway musical with a Tony Award-winning star
First it was an album in 1971, then an autobiography in 1976 and later a feature film in 1980. Now the story of country music icon and Eastern Kentucky-born singer Loretta Lynn will be celebrated in the form of a new Broadway musical.
Aptly titled “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” the production under the direction of Sam Gold will star Tony Award-winner Sutton Foster (“Thoroughly Modern Millie,” “Anything Goes”) in the role of Lynn, which was previously portrayed by Sissy Spacek in the 1980 movie of the same name. That project went on to win seven Academy Award nominations including Best Picture and Best Actress in a Leading Role (Spacek) along with several Golden Globes for its depiction of Lynn’s.
Much like it, this new Broadway adaptation will highlight the singer’s rise from a life of poverty in Butcher Hollow to one of the most successful and revered women in country music history. Alongside several songs and stories from throughout Lynn’s career, it will also include anecdotes from her life beyond the film’s conclusion as well.
“We are so grateful to see that our mother’s life story and music will continue to touch the hearts of audiences and remain an important statement of the American dream,” the family of Loretta Lynn said in a press release. “As one of the last creative projects our mom was so passionate about, we are thankful that she had the opportunity to experience the initial stages of Sutton’s sincere portrayal of Loretta. Mom absolutely fell in love with her and thought she was just the right person to play her onstage. The family is moved by this incredible team’s commitment to her legacy.”
The release didn’t say when the musical would possibly hit the stage, just that “Coal Miner’s Daughter” was in development.
Foster, who has two Tony Awards for Best Actress in a Musical, is also known for her TV work on the show “Younger.” She recently has made headlines for her relationship with actor Hugh Jackman.
The bio-musical on Lynn — first announced in 2012 to feature Zooey Deschanel before staging failed to materialize — isn’t the only similar country music production coming to fruition. “Dolly: An Original Musical” based on the life of Dolly Parton will host preview performances this July and August in Nashville ahead of a run on Broadway in 2026. Coincidentally, Lynn and Parton worked together extensively through the years, most notably on their 1993 collaborative album “Honky Tonk Angels” with Tammy Wynette that featured a cover of Kitty Wells’ 1952 hit “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels” accompanied by Wells herself.
Following a career spanning more than a half century that yielded over 45 million records sold worldwide numerous GRAMMYs, CMA Awards, a Presidential Medal of Freedom (by Pres. Barack Obama in 2013) and a devout legion of fans, Lynn died at the age of 90 on Oct. 4, 2022 at her home in Hurricane Mills, Tn. Her journey from rags to riches and songs like “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” “You Ain’t Woman Enough” and “The Pill” continue to resonate with listeners even now, illustrating how her legacy continues to burn as bright as ever.
