Elton John Tammy Faye Broadway Run to End Early After Poor Sales and Mixed Reviews

Elton John highly anticipated Broadway musical Tammy Faye, which premiered at the Palace Theatre on November 14, is set to close earlier than expected on December 8. Despite initial buzz and a positive reception during its London run in 2022, the production, based on the life of evangelist Tammy Faye Bakker, struggled with disappointing ticket sales and unfavorable reviews, marking a short-lived Broadway debut.

The musical, which features music by John and lyrics by Jake Shears, has been running for less than a month and will conclude after just 24 preview performances and 29 regular performances. The show’s opening week saw it become the lowest-grossing production on Broadway, with some performances reporting as little as 37% seat occupancy in the 1,600-seat Palace Theatre, according to the New York Times.

Despite the early closure, the cast and crew, including stars Katie Brayben in the title role and Christian Borle as Jim Bakker, reflected positively on the production. John took to Instagram to share his excitement about the show’s opening night, expressing his pride in the collaborative effort, while Shears shared his gratitude for the opportunity, acknowledging the “thrilling” experience of bringing Tammy Faye to Broadway.

The show’s early closure marks a setback for Tammy Faye after its well-received stint in London, though it remains a noteworthy attempt to bring the eccentric and campy tale of the Bakker family to the stage.