The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra is bringing a different kind of guest soloist to the Bradley Symphony Center next week: Dolly Parton herself appearing on screen as the orchestra plays through songs including “Jolene,” “Coat Of Many Colors” and “I Will Always Love You.” Three performances of Dolly Parton's Threads: My Songs in Symphony are set for Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m., Nov. 6 through 8, at the downtown Milwaukee venue.
The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra is presenting the production in Milwaukee. The shows will unfold at the Bradley Symphony Center, per the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, which describes Threads as a multimedia symphonic experience featuring Dolly on screen leading audiences through her songs, her life and her stories. The Milwaukee performances are part of a 2026 tour spanning 12 cities, with the production having premiered with the Nashville Symphony in March 2025.
What's in the Show
The Journal Sentinel reports Threads also includes “9 to 5,” “The Bridge,” and a preview titled “If You Hadn't Been There,” a song Parton wrote for her upcoming Broadway musical, Dolly. That musical is scheduled to premiere in January 2027, according to the Journal Sentinel.
The orchestra's arrangements come from David Hamilton, who, according to Dolly's Symphony, arranged and orchestrated the production for Schirmer Theatrical. The full show runs approximately 120 minutes, including a 20-minute intermission, per the same source. OnMilwaukee reports Parton appears on screen, while a cast of singers and a traveling band — featuring banjo, lap steel and bassist Gary Lunn — perform live alongside the orchestra. Julie Williams is one of three featured vocalists touring with the show, according to OnMilwaukee.
A Milwaukee Connection in the Band
Broner McCoy, who joined the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra in June 2025, is an MSO bassist, according to the Journal Sentinel. McCoy grew up in Tennessee and is originally from Nashville, per the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra's musician page.
Behind the Production
Threads was co-produced by Dolly Parton, Schirmer Theatrical and Sony Music Publishing, according to the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. Schirmer Theatrical is operated by Wise Music Group, which the Journal Sentinel describes as the world's largest classical music publisher. Betsey Perlmutter, who became vice president of Schirmer Theatrical in January 2024 according to Wise Music Classical, is producer and creative director of Threads, the Journal Sentinel reports.
The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra says Dolly Parton created the project to connect directly with fans through bespoke stories and videos.
Part of a Bigger Run
Milwaukee's dates fit into a larger national rollout. Symphony magazine reports the production is touring nationally, with 2026 dates. The Nashville Symphony premiered the production. Other orchestras staging Threads include the National Symphony Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony and Columbus Symphony, per the magazine.
