Two-time Tony winner Michael Cerveris has joined the company of the upcoming Broadway transfer of Tammy Faye.
Playing the late Reverend Jerry Falwell, Cerveris joins previously announced stars two-time Tony winner Christian Borle as Jim Bakker, and two-time Olivier winner Katie Brayben as Tammy Faye.
Falwell was an American Baptist pastor, televangelist, and conservative activist who was frequently in opposition to the Bakkers. He was the founding pastor of the Thomas Road Baptist Church, a megachurch in Lynchburg, Virginia; founder of Lynchburg Christian Academy (Liberty Christian Academy); founder of Liberty University; and co-founder the far-right political organization The Moral Majority.
The production is set to begin performances at the newly refurbished Palace Theatre October 19, with opening night set for November 14.
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 London bow. 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. Casting is by C12 Casting's Carrie Gardner and Jillian Cimini.
Rocket Stage, Greene Light Stage, and James L. Nederlander are producing the Broadway run.
Tickets are already on sale at TammyFayeBway.com.
