The Arts Club Theatre Company has just announced that Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol will be the first production of its upcoming 2021–2022 season.

Adapted from Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol and featuring music and lyrics by Dolly Parton, the new musical will be performed at the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage from November 18 to January 2.

“Dolly Parton is a uniquely talented and universally beloved icon across so many demographic ‘divides’," says Arts Club artistic director Ashlie Corcoran in a press release. "As I learned more about how theatrical the storytelling is within this piece, and heard Dolly’s music, I knew that it would be the right way to welcome back our audiences to the Stanley.”

Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol will be directed by Bobby Garcia, who is making his Arts Club directorial debut with this summer’s Beneath Springhill: The Maurice Ruddick Story, which runs from August 5 to 29 at the Granville Island Stage.

“I’m ecstatic that both shows will be directed by Bobby Garcia," adds Corcoran. "Bobby is a Vancouverite, who usually spends the majority of his time in the Philippines, where he is the artistic director of Atlantis Productions. Because of COVID, Bobby is in Vancouver, and I’m grateful we will have his artistry and creativity on our stages.”

The rest of the Arts Club’s post-pandemic transitional season will be announced next month. For more info visit the company's website here.