“Tammy Faye” will take its final Broadway bow on Dec. 8. Following previews that began on Oct. 19, “Tammy Faye” opened on Nov. 14 the Palace Theatre. Upon closing, the musical will have played 24 previews and 29 performances.
Featuring music by Elton John, lyrics by Jake Shears, a book by James Graham and additional music by Tom Deering, “Tammy Faye” follows the real-life Tammy Faye Messner, who, along with her first husband Jim Bakker, brought a new version of evangelistic Christianity to the homes of Americans through television. Tammy just wants to put the fun back in faith, however, she faces increasing pressure from a new wave of ministers to push religion into schools and the law. The musical is directed by Rupert Goold and choreographed by Lynne Page. Prior to the Broadway mounting, “Tammy Faye” played a limited engagement at London’s Almeida Theatre in 2022.
The company of “Tammy Faye” is led by Katie Brayben, reprising her Olivier Award-winning performance in the title role, with Christian Borle as Jim Bakker and Michael Cerveris as Jerry Falwell. Also featured in the production are Nick Bailey as Paul Crouch, Charl Brown as Steve Pieters, Mark Evans as Billy Graham/Larry Flynt/Charles Shepard, Allison Guinn as Jan Crouch, Ian Lassiter as Jimmy Swaggart/Ronald Reagan/Archbishop, Raymond J. Lee as John Fletcher, Max Gordon Moore as Thomas S. Monson/Proctologist/Marvin Gorman, Alana Pollard as Jessica Hahn and Andy Taylor as Pat Robertson/Ted Turner/Pope John Paul II. Autumn Hurlbert plays the titular role at select performances. Rounding out the company are ensemblists Amanda Clement, Jonathan Duvelson, Lily Kaufmann, Elliott Mattox, Brittany Nicholas, Aveena Sawyer, Allysa Shorte, Daniel Torres and Dana Wilton, as well as swings Michael Di Liberto, Denis Lambert, Keven Quillon and TJ Tapp. Casting is by C12 Casting/Carrie Gardner and Jillian Cimini.
“Tammy Faye” features scenic design by Bunny Christie, costume design by Katrina Lindsay, lighting design by Neil Austin, video design by Finn Ross; sound Design by Nick Lidster and Autograph and hair/wig/makeup design by Luc Verschueren of Campbell Young Associates.
Orchestrations are by Mark Dickman and Deering, the latter of whom also serves as music arranger. Chris Fenwich is musical director and Timothy R. Semon is production stage manager.
“Tammy Faye” is produced by Rocket Stage, Greene Light Stage and James L. Nederlander.
