The musical had a successful run in London, earning an Olivier Awards nomination for Best Musical
Elton John‘s successful musical about Tammy Faye Bakker is heading to Broadway. Producers announced Friday that Tammy Faye will make its way to New York City after a successful run in London for the 2024-2025 season.
During the England run, Katie Brayben played Bakker while Andrew Rannells played her first husband Jim Bakkar. Casting, venue, and production dates for the Broadway edition have not been announced yet.
The musical features music by John, lyrics by Scissor Sisters’ Jake Shears, and a book by playwright James Graham. Ruper Goold will direct it while Lynne Page is in charge of the choreography. The London version premiered at the Almeida Theatre in Fall 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, Aida, and Billy Elliot: The Musical.
The musical follows the 2021 release of The Eyes of Tammy Faye, a biopic that followed “the extraordinary rise, fall, and redemption” of the legendary evangelist, starring Jessica Chastain and Andrew Garfield.
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The film followed the rise of Faye and Bakker as they led the largest religious broadcasting network and theme park until their downfall while facing fraud charges and Bakker was accused of rape.
After their megachurch was shut down and the Bakkers divorced, Faye — known for her eccentric outfits and makeup — would later become an unlikely ally to the LGBTQ community during the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Faye died in 2007 following an 11-year battle with colon cancer.