My Review: 'Here You Come Again' at Goodspeed's Chester Theater
The show: “Here You Come Again” at the Goodspeed Musicals’ Norma Terris Theatre in Chester, CT.
What makes it special?: It’s a presentation of a show that’s played a few times around the country, featuring the music of Dolly Parton — and the character of Dolly Parton, too.
Special note: This is NOT a Dolly Parton bio-musical.
Thanks goodness. But what would Dolly say about someone using her music?: And playing Dolly on stage, too! Well, Dolly gave her seal of approval and I can guess why. She wasn’t interested in any by-the-numbers bio-musical. (Good for her!) What she probably saw here with this inventive and thoroughly charming script was a show about how much her music means to her fans — and how it’s affected them, sometimes in profound ways. So it’s not really about her (though we do get some glimpses of her life) but rather her music and how deeplywe relate to music and how it can play important roles in the lives of listeners. Now that’s a creative theatrical approach to an artist’s songbook — and something to really sing about.
What’s it about?: This is the first show I’ve seen that captures the feeling of what many of us went through during the pandemic with it’s clever premise.
Which is…?: The loneliness, anxiety and resourcefulness of being in isolation. It also demonstrates how the Great Pandemic Pause allowed many of us to reflect soberly about how we are living our live — and why.
OK, but it sounds limiting theatrically: I thought though at first; after all, it’s just a two actor, two-act show set in a small attic.
An attic?: The main character of Kevin — because it’s just the beginning of the pandemic (surely this is niot going to last very long) — has left New York City for the relative safety — no pun intended (well maybe a little)— of his parents’ home in Texas where he is sequestered in the attic because his folks are germ-phobic — and, at the time, no one knew how the virus is spreading.
It’s pretty lonely up there but Kevin is a Dolly super fan and his boyhood home retreat is filled with Parton memorabilia and records to keep him company. But things go from bad to worse. The aspiring stand-up comedian has just been told that his job at the comedy club won’t be there for him when he returns. Worse, his boyfriend has just sent him a break-up text. Distraught he finds some comfort in Dolly’s music. That’s when she appears.
Really?: No! It’s all in his mind — which is slyly referred to by Dolly and acknowledged by Kevin. This makes it less of a musical miracle and more of the outgrowth of a fan’s imagining at a desperate time. But that’s OK. It’s only then that we begin to take an emotional journey with Kevin as Dolly’s music — as well as her famously upbeat, empathetic, positive-thinklng, straight-talking, no-nonsense attitude — brings him out of his funk, lifts him up, offers him a real-world perspective, and gives him the new-found confidence to start anew.
Doesn’t that sound a little, well, corny?: It could be in lesser hands but as staged by Gabriel Barre and performed by these two extraordinary actors, it works..
Matthew Risch brings just the right tone to the character of Kevin: that of a big, bearish lug who is funny, charming, just sexy enough — and who offers a fine fan’s voice.
Meaning?: Don’t get me wrong. Risch sings wonderfully but he doesn’t use a big Broadway belt or too-polished sound that can, in less skillful hands, come across as insincere and a bit grand. Here he’s just naturally Kevin The Fan, sometimes joining in with Dolly in songs such as “Just Someone I Used to Know,” “The Seeker,” “Two Doors Down,” “Jolene” and “9 to 5,” among them. It’s the ultimate fan fantasy and Risch stands in for us all with just the right amount of awe, joy, humor — and sadness, too, as he shares his pain with the only person he thinks might understand him.
And as Dolly?: Tricia Paoluccio, who co-wrote the work with Bruce Vilanch and husband Barre, is a divine Dolly. Parton, the object of many drag performances and caricatures, is here represented naturally and truthfully. Paoluccio’s singing is amazingly spot-on, capturing all the idiosyncratic musical stylings that makles Dolly Dolly while also keeping it just slightly removed from being a mirrored impersonation. She channels Dolly’s essence as well as her music. And her singing is stunning in what both she and Dolly bring to songs like “Love Is Like a Butterfly,” “Coat of Many Colors” and “I Will. Always Love You.”
Wait a minute. Did you say Bruce Vilanch? Yep. Vilanch of “Hollywood Squares” and writing jokes for the Oscars and performing in the first “Hairspray” tour. He wrote for Dolly’s unsuccessful TV series in the ‘80s, hence the connection — and his understanding of the woman. His sense of humor brings a lightness that keeps the sentiment in check.
Who will like it?: Dolly fans, natch. Those who grow weary of the constant parade of bio-musicals based on pop stars. And theatergoers who just want to be thoroughly charmed by a sweet, gentle, upbeat musical. You’ll leave smiling.
Who won’t?: If you don’t like Dolly you probably won’t like this show — but then again, in this fresh context, maybe you will.
For the kids?: It’s a great way to introduce kids to a different kind of accessible music — and a beloved, thoroughly American original. (They might even identify with feeling trapped in their parents’ home.)
Thoughts on leaving the parking lot: This show is a great fit for many theaters across the country — and I hope it gets a NYC stage as well. It’s a sweet, sincere little show with immense charm, impeccably performed. I found it irresistible..
Info: The show contionues through Aug. 27 at Goodspeed Musicals’ secoind smaller theater in Chester, Connecticut on 33 North Main Street, just a short stroll from the center of this charming town, Running time is 2 hours, including intrermission.
