In 2022, the Almeida Theatre in London played a significant role as it became the home to Elton John's unique and campy musical Tammy Faye. This musical centered around the life of evangelist Tammy Faye Bakker. The production ran for a relatively short period of just under two months. However, the positive reviews it received set the stage for a transfer to Broadway, which was scheduled to take place during the 2024 - 2025 season. The show made its debut at the Palace Theatre on November 14th. But unfortunately, due to poor sales and unfavorable reviews, it was already slated to close on December 8th.December Finale and Box Office Performance
The December finale of Tammy Faye brought an end to the musical after 24 preview performances and 29 regular performances. According to the New York Times, its opening run was marked as the lowest-grossing show on Broadway that week. In some showings, as many as 37 percent of the seats remained empty. To give a perspective, the Palace Theatre has a capacity of just over 1,600. This shows the significant challenge faced by the musical in terms of attracting audiences and generating revenue.Music and Collaboration
Elton John took the lead in composing the music for Tammy Faye. He worked alongside Jake Shears, who penned the lyrics for the show. James Graham was responsible for writing the book. On the opening night, John shared a celebratory post on Instagram, expressing his true honor in collaborating with everyone. He wished them the best on this milestone night and encouraged them with the words "Break a leg!". This shows the excitement and enthusiasm among the team during the opening of the musical.Cast and Their Experiences
Katie Brayben took on the titular role of Tammy Faye, while Christian Borle played the role of Jim Bakker. Alongside them, Christian Borle, Charl Brown, Mark Evans, Nick Bailey, Andy Taylor, and more also appeared in the two-act Broadway production. Christian Borle, in a post on Instagram on Monday, November 19th, shared his thoughts. He mentioned that these last 12 years (and 12 weeks) have been a remarkable ride. Getting Tammy Faye up on Broadway was one of the most thrilling experiences of his life. He praised the entire cast for their stamina and talent, stating that it was a joy to work with them. He also expressed his pride in their work and believed that musical theatre is one of the most archaic yet beautiful forms of art. He emphasized the importance of the traditional process and having fun with brilliant people. He thanked the Team Tammy and all his fam and friends who supported him throughout the entire process.
