Here You Come Again is the epitome of a feel-good musical, and don’t we need some of that in the middle of a very cold Melbourne winter?
Although it features the hits of country singer Dolly Parton, it’s not necessary to be a die-hard Dolly fan, although there were plenty of those in the opening night audience, who were in seventh heaven. I’m certainly not a Dolly devotee, but found myself thoroughly enjoying the music and the way it was employed to tell the story of Kevin, a young middle-aged Dolly superfan whose life has lately been full of downers, which have crushed him. In his mind he begs Dolly to help him, and in a literal flash of light, suddenly Dolly Parton is lighting up his attic bedroom to take him to task in the most loving way.
Kevin (Dash Kruck) is in the midst of COVID restrictions and the pandemic has shut down the Melbourne Comedy Club where he worked, and he has returned to Bendigo to move back home with his parents. On top of that indignity, his boyfriend decides to dump him by text, so life is kicking him when he is down. His self-esteem has sunk to zero, so Dolly certainly has her work cut out to help him start loving himself, and work out how to be a functioning human being again.
While this fantasy journey is all in his head, it’s played out as real in front of the audience, and it’s totally believable. The story is touching, and performed with utter sincerity.
As Kevin, Kruck gives us a great portrait of a bloke who feels he doesn’t have much to live for and questions why anyone would bother with him as he has nothing to give. To my ears, Kruck is more an actor-singer than a singer, but it works because he is such a convincing actor, who has the audience on side from his first scene. And his portrayal is the antithesis of Tricia Paoluccio’s Dolly, who is brimming with confidence, love, self-deprecating humour and a truly knock-out voice.
Broadway star Paoluccio was born to play Dolly Parton, so it’s no surprise that she is a co-creator of the show, along with Emmy award-winning writer Bruce Villanch, and director Gabriel Barre.
Paluccio’s vocals are extraordinarily good, and she embodies to perfection the adage of many a classical singing teacher: never sing louder than lovely. Even when she is belting out a number it never offends the ear, and when she is singing ballads, her masterly control of her tone is a masterclass in good singing. It’s worth going to the show just to hear Paoluccio sing.
The two leads are backed by an amazing ensemble of three backing vocalists: Kellie Rode, Bailey Dunnage and Laura Joy Bunting. All three play minor characters in the show, and Dunnage and Bunting also double as guitarists. The other musical forces are provided by guitarists Ash Murdica and Tina Harris, drummer Luke Herbert, and musical director and keyboard player Andrew Worboys, who also doubles as Kevin’s Dad. This is multi-skilling to perfection.
This show has everything a good musical show have: a strong story, songs worth listening to, good production values, a tight ensemble, great chemistry between the two leads and a positive ending. It also has a lot of heart.
It only runs at the Comedy Theatre until Sunday, but it will have a return season in Melbourne in October, so, if you don’t get to it this week, you have another chance when it comes back.
Photo credit: Cameron Grant
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Julie Houghton reviewed “Here you Come Again”, presented by Simon Friend Ent. & Kay & McLean Prods. at the Comedy Theatre, Melbourne, on July 16, 2025.
