Five-time Grammy winner Elton John's critic-approved musical "Tammy Faye," about a popular American televangelist, is on its way to Broadway next 2024-2025 season. The musical is set to run at a Nederlander theatre in New York following a successful 2022 production in London with its four Olivier Awards nominations, including a "Best Musical" nod.
The Broadway bow of the musical will once again feature music written by John and with lyrics by Scissor Sisters member Jake Shears. The production book will be by James Graham while Rupert Goold, from the London iteration of the musical, will reprise his role as director.
"Tammy Faye" is Elton John's latest addition to his increasing theater repertoire, coming after his work in "The Lion King," "Billy Elliot the Musical," "Aida," and the soon-to-come-out "The Devil Wears Prada" production. Three of the former bagged John two Tony Awards nominations, with "Aida" bringing him a "Best Original Score" win.
The Story of Tammy Faye Bakker
The "Tammy Faye" musical is about Bakker's lifework as part of a ridiculously triumphant TV ministry show "The PTL Club," which she co-hosted and co-founded with then-husband Jim Bakker.
Back in the 1970s and 1980s, the televangelist duo were going live into millions of households every day, until it all fell apart when Jim Bakker was charged and incarcerated for running fraudulent programs.
Bakker, who changed her surname to Messner in her later years, was known for her iconic hair, charisma, and undeniable compassion for the LGBTQIA+ community, especially during a time when AIDS ran rampant and discrimination against gay people was common.
Bakker's life narrative was also featured in a recent 2021 biopic "The Eyes of Tammy Faye," which gave Jessica Chastain, who played Bakker in the film, an Academy Award.
For the Broadway premiere of the musical, Goold has employed the work of his creative team in the London run. This includes choreography by Lynne Page, orchestration by Tom Deering & Mark Dickman, scene design by Bunny Christie, costume design by Katrina Lindsay, lighting by Neil Austin, sound design by Bobby Aitken, and video design by Finn Ross.
The musical will be produced by Rocket Stage, John's theater production company, and Greene Light Stage, with help from James L. Nederlarnder, CEO of the Nederlander Organization.
For more information on the "Tammy Faye" Broadway musical, click here.
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