Tammy Faye, the Elton John-Jake Shears-James Graham musical about televangelists Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker, will open at Broadway‘s newly refurbished Palace Theater this fall with Katie Brayben and Andrew Rannells reprising their acclaimed London performances, producers announced today.
The musical will begin previews at the Palace on October 19, with an official opening on November 14.
Producers Rocket Stage, Greene Light Stage, and James L. Nederlander announced the move to Broadway last November, but specific dates and initial casting were revealed today. Additional casting will be announced in the coming months.
Brayben will recreate her Olivier Award-winning performance as Tammy Faye Bakker, and Rannells will reprise his Olivier-nominated performance as Jim Bakker. Both starred in the world premiere West End Olivier-nominated production that opened at London’s Almeida Theatre in 2022.
Tammy Faye features music by John, lyrics by Scissor Sisters’ Shears, and book by Ink playwright James Graham. Choreography is by Lynne Page (Ink), and direction by Olivier Award-winner Rupert Goold (Patriots).
The production will feature scenic design by Bunny Christie, costume design by Katrina Lindsay, lighting design by Neil Austin, video design by Finn Ross, and sound design by Nick Lidster for Autograph.
The synopsis: It’s the 1970s, and for the very first time, satellites are bringing cable television into American homes. As families gather in their living rooms, young preacher Jim Bakker and his wife Tammy Faye hit the airwaves to build a nationwide congregation and put the fun back in faith. But while Tammy dazzles on screen, rivals plot behind the scenes, jealous of her popularity and threatened by her determination to lead with love.
Tammy Faye marks the second Palace tenancy announced this week. On Monday, Ben Platt announced an 18-performance concert residency at the extensively refurbished venue, set to begin May 28. The historic theater closed in 2018 for renovation and restoration that involved lifting the building 30 feet in the air.