Discover Elton John’s New Musical on the Fascinating Tale of Tammy Faye

Discover Elton John's New Musical on the Fascinating Tale of Tammy Faye

Elton John’s Broadway musical “Tammy Faye” closes after just 29 performances, leaving audiences wondering what went wrong.

At a Glance

  • Elton John’s “Tammy Faye” musical, based on televangelist Tammy Faye Messner’s life, opened on Broadway on November 14
  • The show will close on December 8, after only 29 full performances
  • Despite success in Britain, the U.S. version struggled, becoming the lowest-grossing show on Broadway last week
  • The $22 million production faced low attendance, with 37% of theater seats empty
  • The rapid closure raises questions about the musical’s appeal and portrayal of the controversial televangelist

From British Triumph to Broadway Flop

Well, folks, it looks like even the combined star power of Elton John and a bedazzled televangelist couldn’t save this musical from becoming a Broadway casualty. “Tammy Faye,” the glittery extravaganza based on the life of televangelist Tammy Faye Messner, is closing faster than you can say “praise the Lord and pass the mascara.” After a successful run across the pond in 2022, where it snagged an Olivier Award for best actress, you’d think this show would be preaching to the choir on Broadway. But apparently, American audiences weren’t ready to be saved by this particular musical sermon.

The reworked U.S. version of “Tammy Faye” opened its pearly gates on November 14, only to announce its closure on December 8. That’s right, folks – just 29 performances. It’s like the musical equivalent of one of those fly-by-night televangelists who show up on your TV at 3 AM, ask for your credit card number, and disappear before sunrise. The $22 million production will have played 24 previews and 29 full performances before the final curtain call. Talk about a short-lived revival!

Empty Seats and Empty Wallets

Now, I’m no Broadway expert, but when 37% of your theater seats are as empty as a politician’s promises, you know you’re in trouble. “Tammy Faye” managed to snag the dubious honor of being the lowest-grossing show on Broadway last week. It’s like they were giving away tickets with every purchase of blue eyeshadow, and still couldn’t fill the house. This begs the question: in a world where we’ve got drag queen story hours in libraries, how did a musical about one of the most flamboyant figures in televangelist history fail to draw a crowd?

The Rise and Fall of a Televangelist Queen

For those of you who might have been living under a rock (or perhaps just watching regular network TV), Tammy Faye Messner was the wife of televangelist Jim Bakker. Together, they were like the Bonnie and Clyde of the prosperity gospel, minus the bank robberies but with all the glamour and scandal. Tammy Faye, known for her larger-than-life personality and makeup that could probably be seen from space, passed away in 2007 at the age of 65. Her husband, Jim Bakker, is still kicking at 84, probably selling buckets of end-times food supplies on some obscure cable channel.

It’s a shame, really. Elton John, the man who gave us “Rocket Man” and “Crocodile Rock,” couldn’t make this rocket take off or this crocodile snap. You’d think a story about faith, fame, and fabulous eyelashes would be a slam dunk in the age of reality TV and social media influencers. But I guess Broadway audiences prefer their religious experiences a little less sequined and a little more “Jesus Christ Superstar.”

What Went Wrong?

So, what’s the moral of this Broadway story? Is it that America isn’t ready for a nuanced look at the complex world of televangelism? Or maybe it’s that even Elton John can’t turn water into wine every time he steps up to the composer’s podium. Perhaps it’s simply that in a world where we’re constantly bombarded with real-life drama and scandal, a musical about a controversial figure from the 80s and 90s just doesn’t have the same punch it once might have.

Whatever the reason, “Tammy Faye” is singing its last hallelujah on Broadway. It’s a reminder that even with star power, award-winning talent, and a story that seems tailor-made for the stage, success in show business is never guaranteed. As Tammy Faye herself might have said, “The Lord works in mysterious ways” – and apparently, so does Broadway.

In the end, perhaps this short-lived musical will join the ranks of other famous Broadway flops, remembered more for its rapid demise than its brief time in the spotlight. And who knows? Maybe in a few years, we’ll see a revival of the revival. After all, if there’s one thing televangelists and Broadway producers have in common, it’s faith in the power of a comeback.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR