Broadway leading lady TRICIA PAOLUCCIO partners up with top West End star STEVEN WEBB (Oliver!, The Book of Mormon) to bring the iconic hits of Country Music Legend Dolly Parton to Blackpool Grand Theatre in the rollicking new musical comedy HERE YOU COME AGAIN from Tuesday 26 November to Saturday 30 November.

For the first time ever, all of Dolly Parton’s biggest songs are brought together in a joyful new musical, fully authorised by Dolly herself!

This lively and touching new production is packed with all her biggest and best hits – from Jolene and 9 to 5 to Islands in the Stream, I Will Always Love You, Here You Come Again and many more, and tells the story of diehard Dolly fan Kevin whose imagined version of the international icon gets him through some very trying times.

Kevin has just separated from his long-time boyfriend, Jeremy, an investment banker, and is in quarantine in the attic bedroom of his childhood home in Yorkshire. Surrounded by precious belongings from his youth, he is reunited with a much-loved old record player and his cherished Dolly albums. He remembers the hard times those songs helped him through in the past and counts on them to help him once again. With her wit, humour and charm, Dolly teaches him a whole lot about life, love and how to pull yourself up by your bootstraps… even if your bootstraps don’t have rhinestones!

Broadway stage star and show co-writer Tricia Paoluccio (Fiddler on the Roof, The Green Bird, A View from the Bridge) is reprising her celebrated role as Dolly for the UK tour following huge acclaim across the United States for this hilarious and heartfelt production. Tricia will be joined by West End star Steven Webb (Oliver!, The Book of Mormon, Miranda, E4’s The Inbetweeners) who will play superfan Kevin – the 40-year-old has-been-who-never-was comedian.

We spoke to Steven to ask what audiences can expect when they come to see this exciting new show…

“Apart from the obvious thing of hearing all of Dolly Parton’s biggest hits and your favourite Dolly Parton songs, there’s a bucketload of stage magic and illusion. But I think the unexpected thing is that audiences can really relate to it.

Even though it’s a singular story about a singular person, every single person went through some of the same things during lockdown. But it isn’t all doom and gloom; it’s very light and it’s about a journey and navigating through that.”

Who is Kevin and what is his role in the story?

“He’s an aspiring comedian, but he’s one of those people that are naturally hilarious when he’s not trying to be. He works at a comedy club in London and his narcissistic boyfriend has just broken up with him. They were isolating together and now he has to be sequestered to his parents’ attic back in Halifax, where he has all of his old childhood memorabilia.”

How does Dolly herself come into the picture?

“Kevin’s having a bit of a rough time. He loses his job, he’s lost his relationship, and he’s surrounded by all these childish things. Then through necessity and magic and music he puts on Dolly’s Here You Come Again album. She materialises and almost stages an intervention to help him through this time using tough love. The show is about that journey of self-recovery and self-discovery and listening to that inner positive voice.”

Are you a Dolly Parton fan?

“Hugely! And I have a very specific parallel with this character because back in 2002 I was going through a rough time with a boyfriend. Dolly was doing a one-night show at the Hammersmith Apollo in London, and I just got myself a ticket and went on my own. It was an unbelievable experience because you had so many different groups and types of people in the audience, and we all obviously went there for a reason and got what we came for because there was something magical about Dolly’s message and her strength and her power.”

Why do you think Dolly is such an icon for the LGBTQ community?

“I think it’s because she’s always refused to be confined to the parameters presented to her. For the queer community we see someone who demands respect, ignores gender expectations and promotes love and tolerance whilst remaining true to and promoting her faith. She’s proof that kindness is key. She’s such a role model in that way.”

And why do you think she’s so beloved by everyone across the board?

“She’s just this almost perfect human being and she’s an inspiration in the way she carries herself and how she lives her life.”

Do you have a favourite song in the show?

“It’s probably a tie. Two Doors Down is one of my favourite Dolly Parton songs of all time and in the show it is just a joyous moment, a kind of imaginary party in Kevin’s head where even Boris Johnson makes an appearance because as we all know he loves a party during lockdown! But I think my absolute favourite would be Why’d You Come In Here Lookin’ Like That because it’s a remixed techno clubby version. I don’t want to give anything away, but you’ll be able to see me like you’ve never seen me before. Let’s just say that I’m currently trying to find a way to balance in six-inch heels!”

If you got to meet Dolly, what’s the one thing you’d want to ask her?

“I don’t think I’d ask her anything. I would just thank her for what she’s given to the world and continues to give to the world.”

Here You Come Again was originally written by two-time Emmy award-winning comedy and songwriter Bruce Vilanch with Gabriel Barre (who also directs) and the incredible Tricia Paoluccio (who also plays Dolly). After several smash-hit productions across the United States, this fantastic feelgood musical has now been adapted for the UK by acclaimed British playwright Jonathan Harvey (Gimme, Gimme, Gimme and Coronation Street).

PROUDLY PRESENTED BY ARRANGEMENT WITH DOLLY PARTON PRIOR TO THE WEST END!

Don’t miss Dolly and Kevin at Blackpool Grand Theatre this November. ‘Waltz right in’ to the Box Office and book your seats now!