TAMMY FAYE Previews

Praise be!

The new musical Tammy Faye casts its first rhinestone tomorrow night (October 19), marking the first time a full-scale musical is being performed at the Palace Theatre in nearly six years. The $25 million London transfer stars Katie Brayben (reprising her Olivier-winning performance as the title figure), Christian Borle, and Michael Cerveris, with supporting turns from Nick Bailey, Charl Brown, Mark Evans, Allison Guinn, Ian Lassiter, Raymond J. Lee, Max Gordon Moore, Alana Pollard, and Andy Taylor. Tammy Faye features a rousing original score by Elton John and Jake Shears, with a book by James Graham, choreography by Lynne Page, and direction by Rupert Goold. Opening night is November 14.

“It’s the 1970s. As satellites broadcast brand-new cable programming into American homes, millions fall in love with Tammy Faye Bakker — the charismatic wife of pastor Jim Bakker. Together, they build a nationwide congregation that puts the fun back into faith. But even as Tammy dazzles on screen, jealous rivals plot behind the scenes, threatened by her determination to lead with love.”

Who’s feeling the holy spirit?

Surprised no general rush. Hopefully they’ll add it. 

Broadway Direct says 2:10 runtime, including intermission

Left the theater at 11:30. Long night. Will write more in a bit. 

Word on Broadway Reddit is mixed negative with most positive notices going to the performances. 

Last time Rupert Goold directed a new musical at the Almeida that transferred to Broadway was AMERICAN PSYCHO, and I recall the response to that being "it was better in London", right?

Perhaps the man doesn't have "the musical in his bones" as Arthur Laurents would say. Or he's being guided by producers with bad instincts.

Jordan, you mentioned leaving the theatre at 11:30. Did it just start super late/long intermission? Or was the show itself 3.5 hours??

Updated On: 10/20/24 at 10:59 AM

This is a weird question out of curiosity, but because I’ve been interested in seeing this musical and have been tepid about getting a ticket…

But as an American in London, did you feel like the audience being mostly from the UK and not necessarily as tied into the Tammy Faye story/lore made you feel a sense of ownership or that this comes across more as an first-time telling of that story to that audience? And maybe the audience on Broadway made you or the show feel more hyper aware of its structure and choices since we’re actually more conscious and critical of who she was?

Sorry if that question is incoherent. It is still early for me. lol. 

Glad I'm waiting a couple weeks to see this one... I am a little surprised by the tepid and negative reactions from pretty much everyone. This one definitely has an uphill battle in terms of sales.

How was the physical production 

The celebrated Palace reopening with two duds in a row?

Ouch.....its early on so they can make changes.

However, Elton is not know to be that involved. Maybe with his husband producing, he can convince him to keep working.