Here You Come Again (in London)
Angela and I had the pleasure of attending Here You Come Again at the Riverside Studios in London with our friends Tamsin and JP, starring our school mate, Tricia Paoluccio (as Dolly Parton). It was the last night of their run in London, so we made it just in time.
The show was wonderful! It was hilarious, touching, entertaining, sweet, engaging, uplifting, and inspiring. They played off the crowd’s responses and even had a couple opportunities to improv a few lines when there was an issue with the set.
Tricia is a shining star! She was born to play this role. If you didn’t know better, you’d think you’re watching Dolly Parton. Tricia’s aim, along with the other writers (Gabriel Barre & Bruce Vilanch, and Jonathan Harvey, who adapted the musical for the UK) to create a musical that is both funny and healing was a success. I’m sure the crowd walked out of that theatre feeling encouraged and uplifted; I did.
I also have to mention the actor who played Dolly’s co-star, Steven Webb; he was a riot! He was funny and slapstick(y) one moment, and deep and soulful the next. The moment his character found himself, when he “stopped looking in the mirror and started looking out the window”, his character was transformed and we were in tears.
What a bit of Irony, to begin our time in London by watching a musical based on an American icon!
You don’t have to be a fan of Dolly Parton to appreciate and even love Here You Come Again.
Well done Tricia…well done.
I just have to add that JP drove us all over yesterday, artfully designed and executed our photoshoot in front of Hammersmith Bridge (flowers provided by Tamsin for Tricia!). They even bought us dinner! (OR DID THEY)