You know you’re at a musical about a living legend when the audience turns up dressed as her. Sparkles, spangles, cowboy hats – and dozens of Dolly lookalikes – filled the theatre for Here You Come Again last night. This jukebox musical is as much a celebration of Dolly Parton’s enduring appeal as it is a story about finding hope when life knocks you down.
The heart of the show is Kevin, played most ably and energetically by Dash Kruck, a forty-something man who has retreated to his parents’ attic after a breakup. Nursing his wounds and struggling to make his dream of stand-up comedy work, he finds himself visited by a rhinestone-clad, no-nonsense Dolly Parton – or at least, the Dolly his imagination summons to help him get back on his feet. Tricia Paoluccio, Broadway performer and co-creator of the show, is nothing short of extraordinary in the role. Her vocal tone, phrasing, giggle, and warmth are so spot-on that there were moments I could have sworn it was Dolly herself on stage.
Paoluccio developed this project during the pandemic, alongside Emmy Award-winning writer Bruce Villanch and director Gabriel Barre. Their goal was to channel Dolly’s optimism into a story about resilience and rediscovery – an idea that feels even more relevant in the wake of Melbourne’s long lockdowns. There are clever nods to those times: an oversized jar of Cheetos, too much toilet paper, even a mother’s baked lamington. These touches ground the production firmly in an Australian context and got knowing laughs from the audience.
The script is heartfelt but occasionally overtold, with Kevin’s relationship breakdown shared through a flurry of texts and voicemails that feel like a clumsy device. At times it feels like “everything and the kitchen sink” has been thrown in, but there’s always another Dolly-ism or emotional beat to keep things moving. “Stop looking in the mirror and start looking out the window,” Dolly advises – one of many gems that capture the show’s spirit.
Musically, the show delivers exactly what fans came for: a generous serving of Dolly hits, from “Here You Come Again” and “9 to 5” to “Islands in the Stream” and “Jolene.” Even “I Will Always Love You,” made world-famous by Whitney Houston, gets its due. The three backing vocalists – Kellie Rode, Bailey Dunnage, and Laura Joy Bunting – add depth and energy, and the small onstage band keeps the momentum bright. The set design cleverly uses the attic space, with the music director and players even climbing a ladder to perform in the rooftop apex.
Here You Come Again isn’t quite a showstopper, but it is full of heart and warmth. The fourth wall is deliberately broken in the final act so Dolly can speak directly to the audience, transforming the story from one man’s journey to a reminder that we could all use a little Dolly in our lives.
If you are a Dolly fan, you’ll be delighted. If you’re not, you may still be surprised at how much joy this production delivers. With Paoluccio’s brilliant performance at its centre, this is a jukebox musical that may not change your life – but it will leave you smiling, tapping your foot, and maybe believing that hope really can be just a song away.
SYDNEY – THEATRE ROYAL – FROM SEPTEMBER 12, 2025
Photo credit: Cameron Grant
