Michael Cerveris to star in Broadway transfer of 'Tammy Faye'

Broadway star Michael Cerveris is known for stage roles in Assassins and The Who's Tommy, as well as screen parts in The Gilded Age and The Plot Against America.

Two-time Tony Award winner Michael Cerveris will play Jerry Falwell in the Broadway production of Elton John, Jake Shears, and James Graham's musical Tammy Faye. The show opens on November 14 at the Palace Theatre, with previews from October 19.

Cerveris (The Gilded Age, Assassins, The Who's Tommy) will star alongside Katie Brayben, who will reprise her Olivier Award-winning performance as Tammy Faye Bakker, and Christian Borle as Jim Bakker.

Director Ruper Goold said: “As an audience member, I’ve always admired Michael’s performances and I am thrilled to welcome him into the Tammy Faye family. I know his Jerry Falwell will be the perfect foil for Katie and Christian’s Tammy Faye and Jim. I can’t wait to get into the rehearsal room to work with Michael and the full company to bring this wonderful new musical to Broadway audiences this fall.”

The rest of the creative team includes music supervision, arrangements, and additional music by Tom Deering, choreography by Lynne Page (Ink, Standing at the Sky’s Edge), and direction by Olivier Award winner Rupert Goold (Patriots, Dear England).

The production has 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 new musical spans decades in the life of the Christian television personality Tammy Faye, following the financial scandals, religious hypocrisy, and romantic entanglements that lead to her downfall.

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

Photo credit: Michael Cerveris. (Photo courtesy of production)