The cast of Here You Come Again, a Dolly Parton-inspired musical, has faced several troubles and disruptions during performances. It has escalated to the extent that the shows have to be halted midway or the cast walk off the stage due to the abuse and harassment they experience.
This stems from audience members reacting negatively to the inclusion of a gay character. Actor Stevie Webb, who plays a devoted Dolly fan in the show, revealed that incidents of homophobic abuse have become a recurring problem during their UK tour. Webb described the situation as “wild,” saying that he and the cast have had to deal with these reactions almost every week, especially since fans are aware of the storyline.
Dolly Parton musical suspended, cast and production team speak out
In Manchester, a woman loudly expressed her disgust at the presence of a gay character, which led to a major disruption. “We had to stop the whole show… leave the stage because a woman was so disgusted that there was a gay character onstage,” Webb said. The audience responded by calling out her behavior, which created a “massive ruckus” that forced a 15-minute break in the performance.
Another incident in London involved an audience member shouting the F-slur during a show. According to Webb, the man claimed he “just wanted to see Dolly Parton” and objected to the storyline featuring a gay protagonist. The show’s producers have condemned these actions. They stated that, “Individuals making such comments are not welcome at our show. They have been – and will be – ejected from the theatre immediately.”
Dolly Parton is a huge LGBTQ+ supporter
Interestingly, Dolly Parton has long been a vocal supporter of LGBTQ+ rights. In a 2014 interview, she declared her support for gay marriage, saying, “I think everyone should be with whom they love.” Over the years, she has reinforced her stance, adding, “I don’t judge people. I try to love everybody.”
In this musical comedy, Parton is portrayed to help a struggling fan navigate life. The show adds her songs into a storyline centered on self-discovery and personal growth.