Good morning, and welcome to Broadway News’ Broadway Review by Brittani Samuel — our overview of reactions, recommendations and information tied to last night’s Broadway opening of “Tammy Faye.”
RUNDOWN
“Tammy Faye” arrives on Broadway amid a welcomed tidal wave of female-centered musicals this season. In life, the show’s title character was a fascinating nut. But this bio-musical frustratingly misses its opportunity to delve into her delicious contradictions — particularly her dual identities as a giggling, glittering, God-ordained prophet to some and Gospel-abusing hustler to others.
The show — written by James Graham, with music by Elton John and lyrics by Jake Shears — traces the rise and fall of Tammy Faye (Katie Brayben) and her husband Jim Bakker (Christian Borle). The two were televangelist supernovas of the 1970s, whose “Praise the Lord” (PTL) network ultimately crumbled in scandal.
