Everything you need to know about ‘Tammy Faye’ on Broadway

Learn about the hit London musical about real-life televangelists Tammy Faye and Jim Bakker, featuring music by Elton John and Scissor Sisters' Jakes Shears.

Joe DziemianowiczAugust 9, 2024, 04:00

Her life was a saga of biblical proportions. Tammy Faye Bakker, that is: the famed televangelist who wore her heart on her sleeve – and mounds of mascara – only to see her life and world collapse.

Inspired by the riveting true story of a charismatic woman’s rise, fall, and resilience, the new Broadway show Tammy Faye features songs by Elton John and Jake Shears of Scissor Sisters. Two-time Tony Award winner Christian Borle and British actress Katie Brayben star as the Bakkers starting October 19 at the Palace Theatre.

Tammy Faye arrives in New York on a wave of critical hallelujahs from its 2022 London world premiere. London Theatre's critic called out its “phenomenal female lead role.” Amen to that.

So be sure to feast your eyes (and ears) on Tammy Faye. Before you do, read more about the show and the people that brought it to life.

Check back for information on Tammy Faye tickets on New York Theatre Guide.

What is Tammy Faye about?

The Tammy Faye musical focuses on iconic televangelist Tammy Faye Bakker. The story delves into her complex relationship with husband Jim Bakker, their creation of their television show The PTL Club (standing for "Praise the Lord") in the mid-1970s, scandals that led to their downfall, and her survival. Through vibrant songs, the show explores that roller coaster ride of a life.

Where is Tammy Faye playing?

Tammy Faye is at the Palace Theatre, located at 1564 Broadway (at the corner of Seventh Avenue and 47th Street). The theatre opened in 1913 and was originally a venue for vaudeville acts, then a movie house.

In 1965, the Nederlander Organization purchased the property and reopened it as a traditional theatre. The musical Sweet Charity opened there in 1966.

After the SpongeBob SquarePants musical ended its run in 2018, the Palace closed for a makeover that included elevating the building 30 feet off the ground for street-level developments. In 2024, the first post-renovation production was Ben Platt: Live at the Palace.

How long is Tammy Faye on Broadway?

Tammy Faye runs 2 hours and 10 minutes, including a 15-minute intermission. This is an average running time for Broadway musicals, which typically run between 90 minutes and 3 hours and often include an intermission.

What days is Tammy Faye playing?

Tammy Faye plays eight performances a week Tuesday through Sunday, with two performances on Wednesdays and Saturdays and no performances on Mondays. The show is subject to one-off changes to its typical schedule, often during holiday weeks.

When did Tammy Faye premiere?

Tammy Faye premieres on Broadway on October 19, 2024, just over 17 years after the title character’s death at age 65. Check out the show's full timeline below.

2022: The Tammy Faye musical had its world premiere production on Oct. 13 at the Almeida Theatre in London. Katie Brayben and Andrew Rannells (The Book of Mormon, Gutenberg! The Musical!) starred as Tammy Faye and Jim Bakker.
2024: Tammy Faye begins performances at the Palace Theatre on Broadway. Brayben reprises her critically hailed star turn and Christian Borle and Michael Cerveris join the cast.

Who wrote the Tammy Faye musical?

Tammy Faye features a book by British playwright James Graham, who won an Olivier Award in 2018 for the politically charged Labour of Love and in 2024 for the sports-themed Dear England. Graham’s Broadway credits include the book for the musical Finding Neverland and the Best Play Tony nominee Ink.

The music is by pop superstar and theatre veteran Elton John. The Rocketman’s Broadway credits as a composer include The Lion King, Aida (for which he won a Tony), Lestat, and Billy Elliot: The Musical.

Jake Shears, of the band Scissor Sisters, makes his Broadway debut as a lyricist with Tammy Faye. In 2018, he took over the role of a shoe factory owner in the Tony-winning musical Kinky Boots.

Tammy Faye characters

Principal characters in the musical include a trio of celebrity televangelists, men and women in their orbit, and other figures from history and religion.

Tammy Faye: a televangelist known for her empathetic persona and flamboyant makeup.
Jim Bakker: a televangelist and founder of The PTL Club TV show who gets embroiled in scandal.
Jerry Falwell: a powerful conservative televangelist.
Other characters played by ensemble cast members include televangelist Oral Roberts, evangelist Billy Graham, publisher Larry Flynt, Pontius Pilate, and Jesus.

Who is in the cast of Tammy Faye on Broadway?

The cast of the Broadway premiere of the Tammy Faye musical is led by British actress Katie Brayben, reprising the title role she played in London. Two-time Tony Award winner Christian Borle (Peter and the Starcatcher, Something Rotten!, Legally Blonde) as Jim Bakker; and two-time Tony winner Michael Cerveris (Assassins, Fun Home) as Jerry Falwell.

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Tammy Faye songs

Tammy Faye features “toe-tapping, soul and gospel-tinged tunes and mighty pop-rock ballads” by Elton John and Jake Shears, read London Theatre's review of the show. Below is the song list from the London production; this article will be updated if changes are made for Broadway.

Act 1

"PTL Prologue"
"Light of the World"
"If Only Love"
"PTL TV Theme"
"Open Hands/Right Kind of Faith"
"He's Inside Me"
"Satellite of God"
"God's House/Heritage USA"
"Empty Hands"

Act 2

"Prime Time"
"Run This Show"
"Right Kind of Faith (Reprise)"
"He Promised Me"
"Bring Me The Face of Tammy Bakker"
"God's House (Reprise)"
"Look How Far We've Fallen"
"If You Came To See Me Cry"
"See You In Heaven"

What awards has the Tammy Faye musical won?

The London production of Tammy Faye was nominated for four Olivier Awards, including Best Musical and Best Actor. It won for Best Actress (Katie Brayben) and Best Supporting Actor (Zubin Varla, who played Jerry Falwell). The show will be in the running for New York theatre awards, including Tony Awards, in the 2024-25 season.

Major productions of Tammy Faye

Tammy Faye has had two high-profile productions so far: its world premiere at London's Almeida Theatre in 2022 and the Broadway run at the Palace Theatre. If Tammy Faye is a Broadway success, the musical could have a long future, leading to more across the country and the world.

Onscreen adaptations of Tammy Faye

The Tammy Faye musical hasn’t received a screen adaptation. A film titled The Eyes of Tammy Faye, starring Jessica Chastain, was released just over a year before the musical's London premiere, but the two are unaffiliated.

Fun facts about Tammy Faye

The role of Tammy Faye Bakker has been a magnet for actresses — and much-coveted awards. Alongside Brayben, who won an Olivier Award, Chastain won an Oscar in 2022 for her star turn in The Eyes of Tammy Faye.
Rupert Goold has already directed six Broadway shows: Along with Tammy Faye, the other musical in his credits is American Psycho. Extreme characters, real and fictional, become him.
Tammy Faye Bakker used puppets in her televangelist broadcasts to share Bible stories, so expect some puppetry in the show.
Tammy Faye Bakker became a gay icon through her unapologetic self-expression and support for LGBTQ+ communities.
Aside from their TV work, the Bakkers also owned a Christian theme park called Heritage USA. It eventually shut down, and these events are referenced in the musical.

Get tickets to Tammy Faye on Broadway

Tammy Faye is a musical that explores themes of faith, fame, and redemption. That’s all something to sing to the heavens about — or at least to the Palace Theatre balcony.