United Kingdom, July 8 -- Dolly Parton has hailed a Broadway musical about her life a "dream come true".

The 9 to 5 hitmaker has written some new songs for Dolly: A True Original Musical, which will also feature classics from her back catalogue, and she is excited for fans to see the production, which begins previews at New York's St James Theatre on 7 December before officially opening on 19 January, her 81st birthday.

She said in a video message to fans: "This really is a dream come true. I can't wait to share it with all of you."

Dolly - who cancelled her Dolly: Live in Las Vegas residency shows in May due to ongoing health issues - promised the production will be "true in every sense of the word".

She added: "This isn't about a st...