Dolly Parton’s ‘9 to 5: The Musical’ Opens in Nashville

There's no stopping Dolly Parton. She's had her hand in hundreds of creative endeavors over the years since she first hit the country music scene in 1967 when country legend Porter Wagoner invited the future Queen of Country to become a regular on his weekly syndicated television program 'The Porter Wagoner Show.'

Having achieved success on radio, in television, film, the concert and Broadway stage and music publishing, it's no secret that one of Dolly's pet projects along the way was the Broadway musical '9 to 5: The Musical' based on the 1980 film, '9 to 5' -- which she co-starred in with Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. The musical, which opened on Broadway on April 30, 2009, and closed after 24 previews and 148 performances, is getting a new lease on life by touring the country, much to the iconic entertainer's delight.

The world premiere of '9 to 5: The Musical' tour will begin at Nashville's Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) on September 21, running through September 26. 'American Idol' finalist Diana DeGarmo has been cast in the role of feisty secretary Doralee Rhodes, Dolly's role in the film. The musical tells the tale of three co-workers who have had enough of their sexist, egotistical boss and find a way "to turn the tables on him."

Dolly wrote the score for the musical and last year that says it's a different process than writing radio hits. "It's less binding," the superstar told The Boot. "I found writing for the stage was so much freer. I could write the stories longer, in more verses. In radio, you have to keep it a couple verses, a bridge and a chorus, and keep it under three minutes. But with the stage, you can just write until you're finished! I found that liberating."

Check some fascinating behind-the-scenes footage, including Dolly observing tour rehearsals, by clicking here.