Dolly Parton Musical Faces Frequent Homophobic Abuse

The touring Dolly Parton-themed musical, 'Here You Come Again', has faced repeated incidents of homophobic abuse from audience members, leading to disruptions during performances. Actor Stevie Webb, who stars in the musical, highlighted that instances of homophobic slurs have been occurring almost weekly, with a recent show in Manchester being halted for 20 minutes after a woman expressed disgust over a gay character. Such disturbances have also been reported during the show's run in London. The producers have condemned the behavior, maintaining a zero-tolerance policy and ejecting disruptive individuals. The incidents have opened Webb's eyes to the prevalence of homophobia encountered outside the theater industry bubble as they travel across the UK. Despite the backlash, the musical continues to celebrate inclusivity and respect, aligned with Dolly Parton's long-standing support for LGBTQ+ rights.