By Gavin Boyle
The life story of country music legend Loretta Lynn will be told in a new way as as a Broadway musical.
“We are so grateful to see that our mother’s life story and music will continue to touch the heart of audiences and remain an important statement of the American dream,” Lynn’s family said in a statement.
Before her death in 2022, Lynn signed off on the musical, which is an adaptation of her autobiography Coal Miner’s Daughter. The book was also adapted as a movie in 1980, winning two Oscars that same year.
Tony winning actress Sutton Foster is set to star as Loretta, and Sam Gold will direct. Janing Tesori will oversee the music production. Lynn’s daughter Patsy and her longtime advisor Nancy Russell are also heavily involved in the production, ensuring it honors the country legend and accurately portrays her life.
“As one of the last creative projects our mom was so passionate about, we are thankful she had the opportunity to experience the initial stages of Sutton’s sincere portrayal of Loretta. Mom absolutely fell in love with her and thought she was just the right person to play her onstage,” the family’s statement said. “The family is moved by this incredible team’s commitment to her legacy.”
Lynn was one of country music’s first female stars, rising to fame in the early ’60s. Throughout her career, she relied on her rural Kentucky upbringing in a poor farmer’s family to write honest songs about the country life. Along with her humble beginnings, Lynn remained rooted throughout her life in her relationship with Christ, who she let lead every step of her journey.
Related: Country Stars Pay Tribute To Loretta Lynn: ‘A Wonderful Human Being, Wonderful Talent’
This faith has carried down through the generations, and after Lynn’s death, her granddaughter, Emmy Russell, recalled that the greatest piece of advice she ever received from the singer was “to love God.”
“She was such a lover of God and I think [the advice] was more of, ‘Listen to Him and follow His voice,” Emmy said in 2023.
Emmy isn’t the only granddaughter of Lynn’s whose life has been impacted by the Lord. After struggling with addiction early in her life, Tayla Lynn found freedom from drugs and alcohol through God.
“I just prayed. I said, ‘God, I have to be done. And I have no idea how not to crave these drugs. I don’t know how to stop, but I feel like this is my last chance. Please help me. If you show up, then I’m done,’” Tayla recalled. “I said, ‘I’m surrendering.’ I was released from that bondage right then. God just took the chains, and they were gone. Now, I still had some physical cravings for the drugs and alcohol, but God was right there, and it just felt like I let God just cover me.”
It is amazing how Lynn’s faith has been passed down through the generations, and as the upcoming musical tells her story, hopefully it will continue to inspire others to seek goodness and love the Lord.
Read Next: Emmy Russell Honors Grandma Loretta Lynn With Latest IDOL Performance
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