Recently, a Dolly Parton musical has become the center of controversy due to the reaction of some audience members to its inclusion of a gay character. This unexpected turn of events highlights ongoing issues of homophobia within the arts community.
"Here You Come Again" Takes the Stage
The musical, titled "Here You Come Again," is a tribute to the legendary Dolly Parton, featuring some of her greatest hits like "I Will Always Love You" and "Jolene." The show was recently performed at the Opera House Manchester, running for five nights and concluding its run on Saturday, February 8th.
Homophobic Incidents During Performances
Steven Webb, who stars as Kevin, a comedian and devoted Parton fan, took to TikTok to share his experiences during the performances. "The amount of audience members we have had to eject due to homophobia is insane," Webb reported. These incidents included one person being removed from the auditorium for shouting slurs during the final performance.
In another incident, the show had to be halted mid-performance on Wednesday when a woman expressed her disgust over the presence of a gay character on stage. This incident sparked a larger reaction from the audience, resulting in a "massive ruckus," according to Webb.
An Eye-Opening Experience for Performers
Webb expressed his surprise at the level of homophobia encountered during the tour, particularly pointing out London as a hotspot for such reactions. "London was the worst, which is crazy to me," he remarked. "This is a Dolly Parton musical, first of all. It’s just me and Dolly Parton on stage, my character and Dolly Parton. It’s going to be a little bit gay, obviously."
A Call for Acceptance and Understanding
Addressing the broader implications of these incidents, Webb commented on the enduring presence of homophobia. "It has really opened my eyes because we are in such a bubble in this industry. But travelling the country and seeing how many people cannot bear to see a gay person depicted on stage, it’s wild," he said.
He further compared the irrationality of homophobia to an inexplicable aversion to the color blue. "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***, 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."
A History of Support for LGBTQ+ Communities
Dolly Parton herself has a long history of supporting LGBTQ+ causes through her philanthropic efforts. Her long-standing support for these communities makes the backlash against her musical's inclusion of a gay character particularly ironic.
Join the Conversation
As the conversation around representation in the arts continues, it’s important to engage in respectful dialogue. We invite you to share your thoughts in the comments below, keeping in mind the need for civility and understanding.
These events serve as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community and the importance of continued advocacy and support for inclusivity in all forms of media.
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