OBSERVER: Here You Come Again
Nerdy, diehard Dolly Parton-tragic Kevin (Dash Kruck) is in the middle of an existential crisis. Back at home with his parents during the Covid lockdown, “waking up to fresh toast and passive aggression” in his childhood attic bedroom.
Paul Wills’s fabulous set full of abandoned childhood toys and the usual discarded household junk competes with Dolly memorabilia, skilfully fusing childhood nostalgia with bitter regret as Kevin buries his sorrows under his superhero doona cover.
In between slugging red wine and downing Valium, Kevin ponders, “What would Dolly do?”
Enter Dolly Parton (Tricia Paoluccio) as Kevin’s much-needed glamorous fairy godmother strutting the stage in sequins, sky-high heels, and hair.
Dolly delivers a feel-good message with some down-home truths: “Stop looking in mirrors and start looking out of windows.”
Co-written by Bruce Vilanch, Gabriel Barre, and Paoluccio, and directed by Gabriel Barre, the Australian production, adapted by Fiona McHarris and Mike McLeish, is peppered with plenty of Aussie references, no matter how unlikely, even rissoles and lamingtons get a mention.
Paoluccio glistens both literally and metaphorically, embodying Dolly to perfection both physically and vocally, managing to bring the real Dolly’s relaxed, always optimistic persona to life onstage.
Kruck breathes life into hapless Kevin, the audience rooting for him from the start when his obnoxious boyfriend, Jeremy, dumps him via text message.
A live onstage band provides the music with musicians doubling as actors and dancers.
Packed with Dolly hits, 9 to 5, Jolene, I Will Always Love You, Islands in the Stream, and more, Here You Come Again is upbeat, fun, and full of sparkle.
Venue: Comedy Theatre, Melbourne
Return Melbourne Season: October 23 – November 2
Bookings: Ticketek
Review by Kathryn Keeble
Pictured: Tricia Paoluccio (Dolly Parton) in Here You Come Again. Photo: Cameron Grant