Play Honors Dolly Parton With Messages of Faith and Positivity: ‘There Is Always Hope’
By Movieguide® Contributor
Dolly Parton is taking the stage in a new play — but it might be a little different than what you’re expecting.
Broadway star Tricia Paoluccio, her husband and director Gabriel Barre, and their friend writer Bruce Vilanch teamed up to write “Here You Come Again,” which is currently running at the Delaware Theatre before its nationwide tour.
The play tells the story of an out-of-work comedian who has to quarantine at his parents’ house during the COVID-19 pandemic. Parton’s music keeps his spirits up, and one day, one of his posters of the country star comes to life.
Paoluccio plays Parton, a role she has been training for her whole life, doing impressions of the singer for family and friends.
“It was something as an actor that I did for fun to make people smile or laugh because I could always break into Dolly Parton, and it would make people chuckle,” she explained.
The actress sees Parton as the perfect role model for anyone who is struggling.
“Her message is always one of ‘have faith, just trust, it will be okay, you have it inside you, you can do it,’” Paoluccio shared. “She’s the most positive and upbeat person.”
Before performing the show for an audience, the trio had to get Parton’s permission to use her music. Not only did the singer give them the universal rights to her music catalog, she also gave Paoluccio permission to perform as Parton for the rest of her career.
“I dropped to my knees and I cried,” the actress marveled. “I was so unbelievably grateful, I cry when I tell this story, because can you imagine your childhood idol that you grew up loving and singing? I sung her music my entire life, I know every vibrato, riff, scratch, I memorized them all.”
So, what does Paoluccio hope audiences take away from the show?
“I think the message of our show is no matter what is happening in your life, no matter what losses you seem to experience, or grief you are experiencing, there is always hope. Just be patient, humble yourself, everything will be okay,” she concluded.
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