Cast
Steven Webb – Kevin
Tricia Paoluccio – Dolly Parton
Date: Saturday 22nd June 2024
Venue: Theatre Royal, Newcastle
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A joyous new musical comedy featuring all of Dolly Parton’s biggest hits, wrapped together in a rather lovely story at a time when we had lost all hope. This might just take us back those few years and combine the ridiculous with some sweet moments.
Die hard Dolly Parton fan Kevin is back living with his parents during the Covid pandemic and that is not where he thought he would be in this life. Spliting up with his boyfriend he is back in his old room and not allowed to go through the house and must use the window. Surrounded by Dolly Parton posters and merchandise a fantasy version of Dolly appears to help him though these tough times and dark days.
Combining the story along with so many incredible songs just works out so very well from start to finish. We are invested in Kevin and we care about him, plenty of laughs along the way to show just how ridiculous those lockdowns and rules really were back in 2020!
Country music is renowed for storytelling anyway, so fitting it all into a stage show musical was always going to just work. Hitting them together with Kevin and his struggles with what to do with his life, processing the break up with a man who was quite frankly just not good for him at all. Battling what to do work wise and if he could actually pursue his dream of being a comedian, or just admit that is not for him. Then reminiscing about his school days and the boy who could have been his first love.
Then with Dolly we get so many good quotes and some fandom information as well, like you know the time when she entered a lookalike competition and didn’t win. Plus if Islands in the Stream isn’t one of your favorite songs then what is even wrong with your life?
It’s a truly spectacular effort for two people to hold the stage, along with the band and support. Steven Webb and Tricia Paoluccio were both utterly delightful and wonderful from start to finish. The chemistry they produce when acting and singing together in the different musical numbers is a true joy to behold, so pleased this was taken on a UK tour before heading to the West End.