( CNN ) -- Neil Patrick Harris is n't a foul-mouthed rocker -- he just plays one on Broadway -- but he 's had some people fooled . The 40-year-old actor is starring in the musical `` Hedwig and the Angry Inch '' as the titular German transgender performer , and he 's so immersed in his character when on stage that not even an excited fan can pull him out of it . He proved that at an April 19 performance , when , according to the New York Post 's Page Six , one supporter yelled out `` I love you , Neil ! '' while the actor was on stage as Hedwig . Since he was in the middle of a show , Harris swiftly responded the way Hedwig would respond : `` I 'm doing something up here , motherf****r ! '' The Post reports that the audience loved it , but apparently not everyone has . On Twitter , Harris has had to clarify that he was n't swearing at a fan ; he was playing a part . `` Take a breath , '' Harris told an angered observer who chastised the actor for his `` outburst . '' `` I 'm playing a character . Who is harsh . That 's the show . That 's Hedwig . '' `` Hedwig and the Angry Inch '' is the kind of production that welcomes improv , and audience participation can be used as a springboard for that . When the Harris fan confessed her love for the actor on Saturday , Harris worked it into his act as he 's supposed to , his rep tells Gossip Cop . `` When the fan initially yelled , ' I love you , Neil , ' Neil ( as Hedwig ) then responded , 'Who 's Neil ? I 'm not Neil . ' He then looked over at Yitzhak ( portrayed by Lena Hall ) and said , 'Are you Neil ? You better not be Neil , ' followed by Hedwig then offering the quote in question . It was all done in good fun , and fully in the context of the show . '' `` Hedwig and the Angry Inch , '' which has been running preview performances , will celebrate its opening night on Tuesday .
Neil Patrick Harris is being confused with his Broadway musical character . A fan attending an April 19 show expressed her adoration for the actor . Her proclamation was met with profanity , as Harris was still in character . He 's had to explain that his response was part of the show .