Dolly Parton opens up about new bio musical

Dolly Parton has opened up about the new musical based on her life story.

The country-music legend joked she had "lived so many lives", the new biographical musical, titled Dolly: An Original Musical, needed three different actresses to play her.

"I've lived so many lives. Look at the age I am now, I started young!" Dolly, 79, told reporters at a press conference to promote the show.

"We couldn't very well just have one Dolly. There are so many songs, we had to divide it up. I wish I had three of me in real life!"

The singer and philanthropist explained she wanted to get the show on stage before it was too late for her to help produce it.

"As I tell my husband, I ain't getting any older," Dolly said. "I've outlived so many of my plastic surgeons!

"I've always wanted to do my life story as a musical, and I just thought I wanted to see it done while I was still around, to make sure I can oversee and it make sure it's done properly."

She added the show would feature many of her country hits, with a sprinkling of new songs as well.

"I wanted to think how I could I could be more 'Broadway', Dolly shared. "So, there are new songs that are really tailor-made to what I thought how Broadway would be while still keeping that country flavour."

Dolly: An Original Musical will premiere on 8 August in Nashville, Tennessee before travelling to Broadway, New York