The Rise And Rapid Fall: 5 Shocking Reasons Why Elton John's 'Tammy Faye' Musical Closed On Broadway After Just 24 Days

The story of *Tammy Faye* on Broadway is a theatrical cautionary tale, a spectacular, short-lived blaze of glitter and gospel that captivated London but failed to ignite New York. As of December 2025, a year after the curtains fell, the musical remains a talking point in the theatre world, having closed abruptly after a mere 24 performances and 24 previews at the newly renovated Palace Theatre. This deep dive explores the shocking journey of the Olivier Award-winning show, from its sold-out run at the Almeida Theatre in London's West End to its quick, disappointing end on the Great White Way, and analyzes the critical factors that led to its rapid demise. The musical, based on the life of infamous televangelist Tammy Faye Bakker Messner, was a high-profile production featuring an all-star creative team: music by the legendary Elton John, lyrics by Jake Shears of the Scissor Sisters, and a book by acclaimed playwright James Graham. Despite this pedigree, and the phenomenal performance of its lead, Katie Brayben, the Broadway transfer proved to be a critical and commercial misstep, leaving many to wonder how a show with so much talent and buzz could shutter so quickly.

The Star-Studded Cast and Creative Team: Who Brought Tammy Faye to Life?

The production of *Tammy Faye* was built on the shoulders of some of the most decorated and respected names in modern theatre and music. The confluence of a pop icon, a glam-rock lyricist, a celebrated political playwright, and a double Olivier-winning actress created enormous initial buzz, making the Broadway closure all the more surprising.

• Katie Brayben (Tammy Faye Bakker):
  • Role: Starred as the titular televangelist, Tammy Faye Bakker.
  • Awards: A two-time Olivier Award winner for Best Actress in a Musical. She first won for her portrayal of Carole King in *Beautiful: The Carole King Musical*. She secured her second Olivier for her performance in *Tammy Faye* in London.
  • Training: Trained at the prestigious Rose Bruford College of Theatre & Performance.
• Christian Borle (Jim Bakker):
  • Role: Played Tammy Faye’s husband and PTL Club co-founder, Jim Bakker.
  • Awards: A two-time Tony Award winner for Best Featured Actor in a Musical, winning for his roles in *Peter and the Starcatcher* and *Something Rotten!*
  • Notable Roles: Originated roles in *Spamalot* and starred in the Broadway revival of *Little Shop of Horrors*.
• Sir Elton John (Music):
  • Role: Composer of the musical's score.
  • Legacy: One of the most successful solo artists of all time, with a prolific musical theatre career including scores for *The Lion King*, *Aida*, and *Billy Elliot*.
• Jake Shears (Lyrics):
  • Role: Lyricist for the musical.
  • Background: Best known as the co-lead vocalist of the glam-pop band Scissor Sisters.
  • Theatre: Made his Broadway debut as an actor in *Kinky Boots*.
• James Graham (Book):
  • Role: Playwright who wrote the book (script) for the musical.
  • Acclaim: An acclaimed British playwright and screenwriter whose notable works include *Ink* (which transferred to Broadway) and the political drama *This House*.

From West End Triumph to Broadway Box Office Failure

The journey of *Tammy Faye* is a classic example of a show that thrived in one theatrical ecosystem but stumbled in another. Its initial run in London created a wave of momentum that suggested a guaranteed Broadway hit, yet the reality was starkly different.

The London Success Story at the Almeida Theatre

The musical premiered at the Almeida Theatre in Islington, London, in late 2022. The run was an immediate critical darling and a commercial success, selling out its limited engagement. Critics praised the show's campy, glitzy energy, the surprisingly moving core of the story, and the powerhouse performance of Katie Brayben. The show secured four Olivier Award nominations, winning two: Best Actress in a Musical for Brayben and Best Supporting Actor in a Musical for Zubin Varla. This success led to the highly anticipated announcement of a Broadway transfer for the 2024–2025 season, with the show landing at the newly refurbished Palace Theatre.

The Shockingly Short Broadway Run

The Broadway production of *Tammy Faye* opened on November 14, 2024, but the celebratory mood was short-lived. Despite the star power and the pre-existing buzz, the show never found its footing with the American audience or critics. On December 8, 2024, the musical closed, having played only 24 previews and 29 regular performances. This brief run made it one of the most notable and surprising box office casualties of the 2024–2025 season.

The 5 Critical Factors Behind the Broadway Closure

Analyzing the rapid closing of *Tammy Faye* reveals a complex interplay of critical reception, commercial strategy, and cultural differences.

1. Unfavorable U.S. Critical Reception

While London critics embraced the show, many influential U.S. critics were less kind. The show received "unfavourable reviews from US critics," who often found the musical's tone uneven, struggling to balance the campy, disco-infused score with the serious themes of faith, scandal, and the collapse of the PTL Club. The *New York Times* review, often a major factor in a show's success, was particularly lukewarm, calling the show a "divinely delirious glitz-bomb of a musical" but ultimately suggesting it was far from a masterpiece.

2. The Controversial Subject Matter

The story of Tammy Faye Bakker and her husband Jim Bakker is inextricably linked to the PTL Club scandal, which involved fraud, embezzlement, and a sex scandal involving Jessica Hahn. While Tammy Faye Messner (her later married name) has since been re-evaluated as a sympathetic, pioneering figure for her inclusive message, the story remains polarizing in America. The musical's attempt to humanize the Bakkers and their controversial empire may have been a tougher sell to a broad American audience compared to the more detached, appreciative British audience.

3. Box Office Disappointment

The ultimate factor in any quick closure is money. Despite its high-profile status, *Tammy Faye* performed poorly at the box office. Broadway is notoriously expensive, and without strong word-of-mouth or glowing reviews to drive ticket sales, the weekly operating costs of a large-scale musical at a major venue like the Palace Theatre quickly became unsustainable. The show simply failed to generate the necessary revenue to justify its continued run.

4. The British-to-Broadway Transfer Hurdle

Many musicals that are massive hits in London’s West End struggle to replicate that success on Broadway. The cultural sensibilities, critical tastes, and audience expectations differ significantly between the two cities. What was perceived as a daring, vibrant, and nostalgic look at American evangelism in London was perhaps seen as a less fresh or less focused production by New York audiences.

5. A Saturated Market and High Competition

The 2024–2025 Broadway season was highly competitive, with numerous new and established musicals vying for audience attention. As a non-jukebox musical with a niche historical subject, *Tammy Faye* needed an exceptional critical boost to stand out against established giants and other well-received new shows. The lack of a major Tony Award nomination buzz (which it never reached, given the early closure) further hindered its ability to compete for tourist dollars and mainstream attention. The show's quick closure serves as a powerful reminder that even with the creative genius of Elton John and a double Olivier-winning star, Broadway success is never guaranteed.