Oh my gosh I had her in mind for the role. I kept thinking about her and Laura Bell Bundy. It’s funny, Katie Breyban played Carole King in London, and now Jessie is playing Tammy Faye here. Similar type I guess.
What was the running time in London? Is it one act or two? I have plans to be in NYC just after this opens.
TaffyDavenport said: "Presale starts at 10 am today with code TAMMY."
Edit: Found a review of the London production that said 2:45 run time. Opted for an evening performance. Canadian dollar so bad, boo hoo poor me, no one cares, so opted for mid Mezz. Hope it's a good seat. Especially after the sensation that was Gutenberg, I can't miss seeing Andrew Rannels again onstage.
There were multiple problems with this show at the Almeida, mostly because the British book writer knows the FACTS about her story without the lived in American experience of what lead to the Bakers' rise and fall (the UK is not a religious country at all, with nothing like the evangelical megachurches that populate the US). So the book falls back on satire and has a lyricist without the skill to really fully create a satirical score (Elton's music is okay, sometimes very good.). But direction is expert, and I actually sorta loved Act One, but it all falls to sh*t in the second. Also, Katie Brayben (who is amazingly talented) does not do a full on Tammy Faye impression. Actually she is the only character that is "for real" as opposed to the satirical take the rest of the cast is sort of forced to perform. But, if there ever was a caricature of a human being, it was Tammy Faye. And that's what made her special, that even WITH the affectations and that voice, there was such a heart there! Katie, as good as she is, robs her a little of that specialness. I was excited about the Jessie Mueller rumor, I think SHE could have gotten it right (as would have Kristen). But again, directed by a Brit, as good as he is, who can't really "get" it...
you’re right the race is on now. Katie’s performance is a must-see and by far the most exciting thing about the show. I think Katie gives a more traditional musical theatre expert/virtuosic kind of acting and singing performance - it’s a real journey.
But Nicole’s performance is pure star power energy (not because of her fame - simply because of what she is doing on stage) with once in a generation vocals, ALW’s stunning melodies and in the backdrop of an innovative production. I’d personally give the edge to Nicole. It’s just an unforgettable performance. And the overall production is much more satisfying than at least how Tammy Faye was - I don’t believe it can be ‘fixed’ and I think the Palace is too big given it started off west end! but who knows.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
I liked Tammy Faye a great deal but I don’t know how it will transfer straight from the Almeida (which is a pretty small theatre) to Broadway. Tammy Faye was intended to have a West End transfer first but that was cancelled due to Katie’s pregnancy. A WE transfer would have really helped to test out the new material, I think. Especially as James Graham is beloved in London/UK theatre but not especially well-known in the USA.
Admittedly it looked very cramped in the Almeida. And has been re-worked substantially. So maybe it is more suited to a bigger space now.
Run times and everything we expect from the previous production has been thrown out of the window. The show went back into re-development after the Almeida run, culminating in an extensive workshop last October.
We can expect a change in songs (some dropped, new ones added), and I would imagine a huge rehaul of Act Two which had its share of problems.
I agree with the previous poster who pointed out the over-drawn caricatures of some of the characters. That needs to go. Tammy Faye's special, quirky qualities got lost when placed among performances where everyone was playing an oddball and dialing it up to eleven. That said, I hope they do not fill secondary roles with the Almeida actors. Their accents were a worry and wouldn't fly on Broadway.
I am thrilled Katie Brayben is reprising her role as well as Andrew Rannells. Together, they created something very special.
There was a Britishness to this show (given the book writer and director) that they will need to consider toning down in favour of a Broadway/American audience sensibility. Maybe less satirical while retaining the fun but injecting a bit more heart and a little less cynicism?
Whatever they do, I can't wait to see the results.