The world of Broadway is no stranger to the highs of standing ovations and the lows of closing curtains, but few have felt the sting of the latter as sharply as Sir Elton John with his latest musical venture. The legendary musician, known for his Midas touch with pop hits and previous Broadway successes, has faced an unexpected setback with the abrupt closure of his expensive Broadway show, 'Tammy Faye,' which has been labelled a 'disaster' after a mere five days post its glitzy opening night.


The musical, which delves into the life of the infamous 1970s and '80s televangelist Tammy Faye Bakker, was reportedly capitalised at a staggering USD 25 million (AUD 38 million). However, despite the investment and the star power behind it, 'Tammy Faye' will lose every penny as it announced its closing notice, scheduled to shutter on December 8th. By then, it will have played only 24 previews and 29 regular performances.



For our readers at the Seniors Discount Club, who may remember the real Tammy Faye and her larger-than-life persona, the news of the musical's failure might be a surprise. After all, Elton John is a household name with a track record of theatrical hits like 'The Lion King' and 'Billy Elliot.' So, what went wrong with 'Tammy Faye'?


The musical, which featured music by John, lyrics by Jake Shears of the Scissor Sisters, and a book by James Graham ('Ink'), starred Katie Brayben as Tammy Faye Bakker, Christian Borle as her husband Jim Bakker, and Michael Cerveris as Jerry Falwell. Despite the talent involved, the production was met with harsh criticism. Reviews described the musical as 'amateurish,' with 'lots of dead air and little focus.' Audiences were left with no clear understanding of the Bakkers' fame or the reasons behind the musical's existence.

The show's failure is a stark reminder that Broadway is an increasingly harsh business, where underperforming shows are quickly shown the door. 'Tammy Faye' is not the first to experience such a fate; it follows closely on the heels of 2022's 'KPOP,' which lasted just 17 performances beyond its opening night.

Interestingly, 'Tammy Faye' began its journey at London's smaller Almeida Theatre, which seats just 350, compared to the Palace Theatre's 1,650. While the reviews in Britain were somewhat more positive, they still hinted at an 'unsatisfying surface-level examination of an icon.' The production even garnered nominations at the Olivier Awards, with Brayben winning Best Actress in a Musical.


Despite this setback, Sir Elton John is not bowing out of the musical theatre scene. His upcoming 'Devil Wears Prada' musical, starring Vanessa Williams, is set to open in London after a less-than-stellar run in Chicago, where it was dubbed a dud about duds' and 'a haute mess.'

For our members who have witnessed the ebb and flow of cultural phenomena over the decades, the closure of 'Tammy Faye' reminds us that not all that glitters is gold, even with a superstar like Elton John at the helm. It's a testament to the unpredictable nature of the arts and the ever-changing tastes of audiences.
We'd love to hear your thoughts on this. Have you ever been surprised by the success or failure of a show or musical? Do you think star power should guarantee a hit, or is there more to the magic of theatre? Please share your experiences and opinions in the comments below, and let's discuss the unpredictable world of show business.