Dolly Parton musical Here You Come Again begins its run at Connecticut's Goodspeed Musicals July 27, playing the Terris Theatre. Gabriel Barre is directing and choreographing.
The musical follows a down-on-his-luck, diehard Dolly Parton fan who gets more than a few lessons from the country music–singing sensation herself. The jukebox score comprises songs made famous by Parton, including "Jolene," "9 to 5," "Islands in the Stream," and more, matched with a book by Emmy winner Bruce Vilanch, Barre, and Tricia Paoluccio. The work had its world premiere at Delaware Theatre Company last year, followed by runs at Texas' Casa Mañana, Florida's Kravis Center, Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, and Tennessee's Studio Tenn.
Along with co-writing, Paoluccio stars as Parton, sharing the stage with Matthew Risch as Kevin.
The production features music direction and orchestrations by Eugene Gwozdz, scenic design by Anna Louizos, costume design by Bobby Pearce, lighting design by Alussandra Docherty, sound design by Mark Valenzuela, hair and wig design by Bobby Zlotnik, and make up design by Brian Strumwasser. Michael Misko serves as magic consultant, and Abigail Zaccari is production stage manager.
Parton was working on an autobiographical jukebox musical as recently as 2016. It's unclear how—or if—this project would affect Parton's work, also planned to feature a score of her greatest hits. Parton also wrote a mostly original score for the 2009 stage adaptation of the 1980 film 9 to 5, the famed motion picture that co-starred Parton and featured her smash-hit title song on the soundtrack.
Also in Goodspeed's Terris season is Marshall Pailet's Private Jones, inspired by the true story of a deaf sniper in World War I, running October 13–November 5. Written by and to be directed by Pailet, the production will feature an ensemble of deaf, hearing, and hard-of-hearing actors and a score of Celtic music. Madeline Benson is music directing, with choreography by Misha Shields. Alexandria Wailes (Broadway's for colored girls..., Spring Awakening) will serve as director of artistic sign language.
Visit Goodspeed.org.
