The musical was a success in London, earning an Olivier Awards nomination for Best Musical
Elton John’s hit musical about Tammy Faye Bakker is heading to Broadway. Producers announced on Friday that Tammy Faye will arrive in New York City after a successful stint in London for the 2024-2025 season.
During the English run, Katie Brayben played Bakker, while Andrew Rannells played her first husband, Jim Bakkar. The cast, location and production dates for the Broadway edition have not yet been announced.
The musical features music by John, lyrics by Jake Shears of Scissor Sisters, and a book by playwright James Graham. Ruper Goold will direct it while Lynne Page will be responsible for the choreography. The London version premiered at the Teatro Almeida in autumn 2022 and was nominated for Best Musical at the Olivier Awards.
John has had his fair share of successful Broadway musicals, including The Lion King, AidaIt is Billy Elliot: The Musical.
The musical follows the 2021 release of The Eyes of Tammy Fayea biopic that followed “the extraordinary rise, fall and redemption” of the legendary evangelist, starring Jessica Chastain and Andrew Garfield.
The film followed the rise of Faye and Bakker as they led the largest religious broadcasting network and theme park until its downfall, all the while facing fraud allegations and Bakker being accused of rape.
After her megachurch closed and the Bakkers divorced, Faye—known for her eccentric clothing and makeup—would later become an unlikely ally to the LGBTQ community during the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Faye died in 2007 after an 11-year battle with colon cancer.
