'Here You Come Again' opened on Wednesday (16 July) with a fabulously camp Rhinestone, Mascara and High Hair Pink Carpet event.
It was a truly Melbourne moment, and delighted the opening night audience of loving Dolly fans and many fine and outrageously attired Dolly impersonators.
This musical theatre show was co-created during the COVID-19 pandemic by co-writer/director Gabriel Barre, who also collaborated with comedy writer Bruce Vilanch (writer on the 1980s variety show 'Dolly') and co-writer Tricia Paoluccio, who plays the character of Dolly. It was originally written for the stage in the US and has since been adapted to UK and Australian audiences for touring, and this version of the show is set in Bendigo.
It was Tricia who dreamed up the imaginary friendship narrative between a lovelorn and lonely Kevin (played by a slightly too manic Dash Kruck) and his version of Dolly as a Fairy Godmother. As his godmother, she is a source of advice, acceptance and loving encouragement during the long days that he’s stuck in the bedroom from his teenage years in his parents' attic during lockdown.
The story is funny, if a little bit too sweet (even on a Dolly Level of Sweetness Standards Scale) but the songs carry the show. The cracking country music/pop band is directed by Andrew Worboys and even during Dolly's pure pop numbers, there is just enough twang to satisfy the country music fans in the audience.
Image © Cameron Grant
The entire cast shine in all their earnest double denim glory, with simple but effective choreography by James Maxfield. His handiwork gives the production a down home feel, which is echoed in the stage design by Paul Wills.
'Here You Come Again' works best as the perfect vehicle for Pauluccio's considerable talents. It showcases her energetic acting skills, her astonishing voice and her note-perfect renditions of Dolly’s songs. The song list is made up of a mix of megahits including 'Islands In The Stream', 'Love Is Like A Butterfly', 'I Will Always Love You', 'Nine To Five' and of course, 'Jolene'. Dolly herself hasn’t toured Australia since 2014, so if you want to hear these songs sound just the way Dolly sings them, this might be as good chance as you’ll get to do it.
'Here You Come Again' is a love letter to the music of Dolly Parton and to her irrepressibly huge heart, hopefulness and hair. And it’s terrific fun.
