Zooey Deschanel To Star As Loretta Lynn In Broadway Musical

The play will be a musical adaptation of the Oscar-winning film “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” recounting the country icon’s life

"New Girl" Zooey Deschanel has a new role in a new Broadway musical.

The star and producer of the popular Fox sitcom will play country legend Loretta Lynn in an upcoming musical adaptation of the Oscar-winning 1980 film “Coal Miner’s Daughter” by the same name, People Magazine reported.

Deschanel, 32, was cast by the country icon herself. “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” also the title of Lynn’s bestselling 1976 autobiography, recounts Lynn’s impoverished childhood as one of eight children in rural in Kentucky to her rise to the top of the music industry.

Lynn revealed the Deschanel casting news Thursday night on the stage of Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium during a Grand Ole Opry show. Deschanel then joined Lynn for a duet of “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” a No. 1 hit for Lynn in 1970.

In a similar way in 1979, Lynn announced that Sissy Spacek would play her in the film. Spacek won an Academy Award for her performance.

“It’s a long way from Butcher Holler to Broadway in New York City. I never imagined I’d see Coal Miner’s Daughter on a movie screen, and now I can’t believe it’s going to be on a stage for people to see,” said Lynn, 80, in a statement, according to People.

Although plans for the stage adaptation are still in the beginning phases and an opening date has yet to be announced, Lynn said she cannot be more excited.

“I’m going to be right there in the front row," she said. "And I know Zooey is going to be great – she sings and writes her own songs just like I do, and we even have the same color eyes!”

Deschanel said that Lynn and her music has always been an inspiration to her. “[Lynn] is a true legend and to be chosen to play such an iconic woman is a dream come true,” she said.

Producers of the musical – Fox Theatricals and Scott Sanders Productions – said their schedule would not conflict with Deschanel’s commitments to her television sitcom, People reported.

Selected Reading: People, IMDb, Hollywood Reporter
 

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