This latest holiday film from star/executive producer Dolly Parton is a modern-day movie musical about the making of a network TV special. It showcases the frenetic backstage story and delightful onstage results of the legendary singer-songwriter’s desire to uplift an exhausted world’s spirits by sharing the unique mountain magic she has always found in and around Dollywood at Christmastime.
Throughout the movie’s production numbers and rehearsal chaos, Dolly finds herself taking a private journey into her past, guided by the mysterious appearances of her personal Three Wise Mountain Men. When it’s time for her big special to air, the renewed and inspired star goes rogue and shows the world that the real magic of Christmas lies in the hearts of the children we all once were, the realization that Christmas is about the people we share it with, and how her faith remains the common thread between Christmases past, present and future.
Naturally, music will be a big part of this film; it includes two of Dolly’s iconic hits (“9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You”), as well as a new holiday melody. A release for the movie also promises it will feature “numerous songs that capture the spirit of Christmas and the importance of gathering with family during the holidays.”
Mountain Magic Christmas also stars Tom Everett Scott, Angel Parker and Ana Gasteyer. Musical guests include Jimmy Fallon, Willie Nelson, Billy Ray Cyrus, Jimmie Allen, Zach Williams and Miley Cyrus. Emmy-winning choreographer Kathryn Burns (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend), who plays herself in the film, staged the musical numbers alongside assistant choreographer David Hull.
Dolly Parton’s Mountain Magic Christmas premieres on NBC Thursday, Dec. 1, at 8pm ET/PT. The movie encores on NBC Wednesday, Dec. 21, at 8pm ET/PT.