A recent Dolly Parton musical production, Here You Come Again, has faced unexpected homophobic abuse from some members of the audience, who appeared shocked by the inclusion of a gay character in the show. The musical, featuring iconic hits like “I Will Always Love You” and “Jolene,” was staged at the Opera House in Manchester for a five-night run, which concluded on Saturday, February 8.
Steven Webb, a West End star who plays comedian and Dolly Parton fan Kevin in the production, took to TikTok to reveal the disturbing level of homophobia that the cast and crew encountered during the performances. Webb shared that a significant number of audience members had to be ejected due to homophobic outbursts, calling it “insane.”
@thatsteviewebb
“It’s crazy to me that in this day and age, we’re still dealing with this kind of thing,” Webb wrote in his post. He went on to describe a particularly alarming incident during the final performance, where one person was removed from the auditorium for “shouting out slurs” during the show. Earlier in the week, a woman was removed after expressing her disgust over the presence of a gay character on stage, prompting an outburst that caused the show to be temporarily halted.
Webb recounted the incident, saying, “She was shouting out, and then all the audience started shouting at her. There was a massive ruckus.” Webb, who plays a character with a romantic storyline involving a male partner, emphasized how surprising it was to encounter such hostility in a show centered around the legendary country star, Dolly Parton.
“London was the worst, which is crazy to me,” Webb continued. “I remember one guy who was shouting the F slur, saying, ‘I’m not here to watch some f*ing f**t talk about his boyfriend, I just want to see Dolly Parton.’ It’s like, ‘It’s a Dolly Parton musical, mate. It’s going to be a little bit gay, obviously.’”
The musical Here You Come Again is based on the life and music of Dolly Parton, who is known for her philanthropic work, including significant contributions to LGBTQ+ causes. Despite Parton’s long-standing support for the LGBTQ+ community, some theatergoers still found the depiction of a gay character in the show difficult to accept.
Webb’s comments shed light on the disconnect between the inclusive message often celebrated within the theater industry and the challenges of traveling to various parts of the country. The actor shared his surprise at how many people in different locations were visibly uncomfortable or outright hostile when faced with the portrayal of a gay person on stage.
“This experience has really opened my eyes,” Webb admitted. “We are in such a bubble in this industry. But traveling the country and seeing how many people cannot bear to see a gay person depicted on stage, it’s wild.”
Webb, who has also appeared in The Book of Mormon, went on to compare the situation to something as inconsequential as personal preference for color. “It would be like if I had that reaction to the color blue,” he said. “It exists, it’s not going anywhere, but I could not escape it. I feel really bad for them because I’d be like, ‘Oh f**k, the sky.’ Eventually, I’d probably just realize it’s not actually hurting me, it’s not affecting my life, it’s just blue, and it’s just not my favorite color.”
Parton has long been a staunch advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, with her charitable endeavors benefiting several LGBTQ+ organizations and causes. Despite her history of support, Webb’s experience on stage revealed how deeply ingrained prejudices still persist in certain areas of the country, even within the context of a musical about an artist renowned for her inclusive and open-hearted values.
The incidents of homophobic abuse at Here You Come Again serve as a reminder that LGBTQ+ representation in mainstream entertainment remains a contentious issue for some. The backlash also highlights the progress yet to be made in fostering greater acceptance and understanding of LGBTQ+ characters and stories on stage and screen.
While Webb’s experience was disheartening, he continues to express his hope that these types of reactions will eventually fade as audiences grow more accustomed to the diverse representations of love, identity, and humanity that are now becoming increasingly common in the arts. For now, the musical’s message of inclusivity and Dolly Parton’s enduring legacy of love and acceptance remain at the heart of the production, despite the challenges it faced during its run in Manchester.
