Here You Come Again → Her Majesty’s Theatre

 There is no better show to round off Adelaide’s season of Musical Theatre than with one that celebrates the Icon herself, Dolly Parton. Here You Come Again is joyful, camp and packed with plenty of Parton whimsy!  

Here You Come Again was created by the star of the show herself, Tricia Paoluccio. Initially written during the infamous days of pandemic lockdown, Paoluccio then teamed up with writer / director Grabriel Barre to cement their narrative. Here You Come Again is not a biographical jukebox musical, instead, Dolly exists as a whimsical fairy-godmother archetype in the “mind” of a superfan. 


For the Australian Premiere, writers Mike McLeish and Fiona Harris have cleverly adapted the show for Australian audiences. The setting is a family attic in Bendigo, occupied by Kevin, who is recently dumped and living in his parents attic in the early days of the COVID lockdown. In his despair, he turns to Dolly, who magically materialises out of his life size poster!


The musical uses Dolly’s hits to guide Kevin (and the audience) through feelings of loneliness and self-doubt, to healing. The show reminds us how hope still sings even in those low points in life. 


We meet Dash Kruck as Kevin first, flittering about his Dolly-soaked attic. Kruck was charismatic, knew how to work the crowd, and navigated Kevin’s low moments with a sense of gentleness that audiences could relate to. He leans into many Australian popculture-isms, and authentically portrayed Kevin’s messy feelings to his vulnerable climb back to self-belief. 


At the heart of the show is Tricia Paoluccio as Dolly Parton. She bursts in like a ray of Tennessee sunshine— rhinestones, hair and all, instantly exceeding my expectations. If this is as close as I can get to seeing Dolly Parton live, I honestly am pretty chuffed! She truly commands the show, sweeping the audience up in her essence of Dolly charm. I enjoyed how the show unseriously leans into the fictional absurdness of Dolly existing in the attic of an Australian man, embracing the silliness as Dolly dishes out the life advice over tea and lamingtons!?


All the classic hits are there, and Paoluccio is vocally sublime, matching Dolly’s unique tone and twang. Expect Jolene, Two Doors Down, Nine to Five, I Will Always Love You and the rest, to be humorously woven into the narrative in true Jukebox musical style. The ensemble cast members and band emerge multiple times to dance about and play various instruments, adding more excitement to the scenes. 


The highlight of the night will be the Here You Come Again Mega Mix, whereby the whole theatre will be up and dancing in a perfectly unified conclusion! 


If you have had a rough year, or need to be reminded of your sparkle, Here You Come Again is a wonderfully silly, uplifting show that is perfect to make a night out of!

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