Let out a hallelujah, because the upcoming Broadway premiere of Elton John and Jake Shears' Tammy Faye has found its full flock cast. The production is set to begin performances at the newly refurbished Palace Theatre October 19, with opening night set for November 14.
As previously announced, the musical's West End star Katie Brayben will reprise her performance in the title role. Two-time Tony winner Christian Borle will play her husband, Jim Bakker, a replacement for the originally announced Andrew Rannells, who dropped out following contract disputes. Tony winner Michael Cerveris is co-starring as Reverend Jerry Falwell
Newly revealed to be joining them are Nick Bailey as Paul Crouch, Charl Brown as Steve Pieters, Mark Evans as Billy Graham, Allison Guinn as Jan Crouch, Ian Lassiter as Jimmy Swaggart/Ronald Reagan/Archbishop, Raymond J. Lee as John Fletcher, Max Gordon Moore as Thomas S. Monson/Marvin Gorman, Alana Pollard as Jessica Hahn, and Andy Taylor as Pat Robertson/Ted Turner. Autumn Hurlbert (Legally Blonde) will be the alternate for the title role, with a performance schedule to be announced.
The company will also include Amanda Clement, Michael Di Liberto, Jonathan Duvelson, Lily Kaufmann, Denis Lambert, Elliott Mattox, Brittany Nicholas, Keven Quillon, Aveena Sawyer, Allysa Shorte, TJ Tapp, Daniel Torres, and Dana Wilton. Casting is by Carrie Gardner and Jillian Cimini of C12 Casting.
Tammy Faye features music by Tony winner and five-time Grammy winner Elton John, lyrics by the Scissor Sisters' Jake Shears, and a book by James Graham (Dear England). Olivier winner Rupert Goold (Patriots, Dear England) will again direct after staging the 2022 London bow at Almeida Theatre. The world premiere earned four Olivier Award nominations, including Best Musical.
Based on the life of American evangelist Tammy Faye Messner, Tammy Faye tells the story of Messner's rise to national recognition atop a Christian television empire. She and her then-husband and fellow televangelist Jim Bakker founded The PTL Club (Praise the Lord) in 1974, a platform they used to preach to millions. Messner, who died in 2007, was noted for her compassion for the LGBTQIA+ community during the AIDS epidemic, despite conflict between the community and the church.
Goold is reuniting much of his London creative team for the Broadway premiere, including choreographer Lynne Page (Ink), orchestrators Tom Deering and Mark Dickman (Deering is also music supervisor, arranger, and has penned additional music), scenic designer Bunny Christie, costume designer Katrina Lindsay, lighting designer Neil Austin, and video designer Finn Ross. Joining the team for the Broadway run is sound designer Nick Lidster for Autograph. Wig, hair, and make-up design will by by Luc Verschueren for Campbell Young Associates. Timothy Semon will serve as production stage manager.
Rocket Stage, Greene Light Stage, and James L. Nederlander are producing the Broadway run.
Tickets are already on sale at TammyFayeBway.com.
