Tammy FayeHeads to Broadway! Elton John and Jake Shears' Divine Musical to Debut This Fall

Mar. 15, 2025

Elton John and Jake Shears.Photo:Kevin Mazur/Getty Images; Walter McBride/Corbis via Getty Images

Kevin Mazur/Getty Images; Walter McBride/Corbis via Getty Images

Tammy Faye Messnerwill sing again, this time in a new Broadway musical set to open this fall.

Performances begin Oct. 19 ahead of a Nov. 14 opening night at the legendary Palace Theatre in New York City. It’ll be the first Broadway musical to play the space since its renovation.

Katie Brayben andAndrew Rannellswill lead the musical as Tammy Faye and her ex-husband, Jim Bakker, respectably. Both earned Olivier Award nominations when they originated the roles whenTammy Fayemade its debut at the Almeida Theatre in London in Fall 2022, with Brayben winning the trophy.

Andrew Rannells and Katie Brayben attend the press night performance of new musical ‘Tammy Faye’ at The Almeida Theatre on Oct. 26, 2022 in London, England.David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images

David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images

Tammy Fayeis billed as “the story of a traveling preacher’s wife who beamed into homes with a message of hope… and stole the country’s heart.”

Messner was known for her eccentric personality and glamorous persona, which differentiated her from many of the mainstream evangelists at the time. She was also more liberal than her contemporaries, advocating for members of the LGBTQ+ community, especially during the height of the AIDS epidemic.

She and Bakker married in 1961 and began their ministry the following year. They’d go on to become founding members ofThe 700 Cluband host of number of popular shows themselves, includingThe PTL Club(Praise The Lord), which eventually blossomed into its own network.

The pair divorced in 1992, three years after Bakker was sentenced to prison for numerous counts of fraud and conspiracy. She went on to marry property developer Roe Messner in 1993, who himself had his own run-ins with the law and would serve 27 months in prison for bankruptcy fraud.

Jim Bakker and Tammy Faye.

After an 11-year journey with colon cancer, Tammy Fay died on July 20, 2007 at the age of 65. Both Bakker and Messner are still alive.

Tammy Fayeis not the first time her story has been brought back into the spotlight. A number of musicals have been developed about her over the years, including one that never got produced starring Kristin Chenoweth.

In 2021,Jessica ChastainandAndrew Garfieldstarred inThe Eyes of Tammy Faye, a film based on the popular 2000 documentary of the same name. Chastain would go on to winBest Actress at the 94th Oscarsfor her portrayal of Tammy Faye.

Tammy Faye.AP/Shutterstock

Meanwhile, John and Shears have a long history on in the theater themselves.

This is the sixth major musical John has composed, afterThe Lion King,Aida,Billy Elliot, LestatandThe Devil Wears Prada.BothThe Lion KingandBilly Elliotwent on to win the Tony Award for best musical.

Shears' first musical,Tales of the City, went into production at the American Conservatory Theater in 2010. He later starred as Charlie Price inKinky Bootson Broadway and at the Hollywood Bowl. The 45-year-old recently made his West End acting debut as the Emcee in the acclaimed revival ofCabaret, which opens on Broadway this spring.

Tickets forTammy Fayego on sale Wednesday, March 27. For more information,visit the show’s official website.

source: people.com