Elton John’s “Tammy Faye” Musical opened on Broadway last night to a an A List audience. It also brought a bunch of terrific new songs from Sir Elton, and high powered performances from a great cast.
Initial reviews are mixed, but I had a great time and so did everyone at the newly renovated and moved (upward) Palace Theater.
Among those in the audience: Michael Stipe, the great rocker from REM; Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen; comic actor Titus Burgess; Tony winner Celia Keenan-Bolger; favorite actor Richard Kind, plus TCM host Dave Karger. I’m told I missed seeing Alec Baldwin and wife Hilaria.
And, course, Sir Elton and husband David Furnish were there, as well as Scissor Sisters singer Jake Shears, who wrote the song lyrics. So was Tammy Faye and Jim Bakker’s son, Jay, who is 100% devoted to the show.
Sir Elton and David are deeply attached to the subject matter. Tammy Faye Bakker seemed like a joke during her hey day. But what’s emerged in the movie starring Jessica Chastain, and in this musical, is what a courageous pioneer she as in acknowledging AIDS patients and the gay community. This is not a small thing. While the TV evangelist world of the 80s dismissed AIDS — just like Ronald Reagan, their hero — Tammy Faye was an avenger in mascara.
British actress Kate Brayben — who won an Olivier Award in the UK — makes a sensational Broadway debut as Tammy Faye. This won’t be her last time here. Brayben brings a humanity to Tammy Faye while belting out a dozen more new Elton John classics like “If Only Love” and the smashing 11 o’clock number, “If You Came to See Me Cry.”
Broadway stars and Tony winners Christian Borle and Michael Cerveris are no slouches either, playing Jim Bakker and Jerry Falwell. Borle gives Jim Bakker a personality, pathos, and humor. Cerveris brings down the house singing his heart out with his solo spotlight on “Satellite of God.” The songs are very Elton-ish, so much so that I can’t wait to hear the soundtrack CD. His zillions of fans will be thrilled.
What wobbles sometimes in “Tammy Faye” is the book by James Graham. The show is a gloss on the Tammy and Jim story, playing the highlights (including Jim’s affair with Jessica Hahn) but never getting under the skin of either subject. Still, it’s an entertaining show full of great sounds and performers. It’s worth our time. And Sir Elton remains an international treasure!
