Elton John On Creating the ‘Tammy Faye’ Musical: “I Was Always Incredibly Fascinated By Her”

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As a long-time gamer with a soft spot for musical theater and captivating stories, I can’t help but be thrilled about the upcoming Broadway musical “Tammy Faye.” Growing up during the golden age of gaming, I was always fascinated by characters with larger-than-life personas, and Tammy Faye certainly fits that bill.

Elton John and his husband David Furnish have found Tammy Faye, the televangelist, intriguing for a long time.

Not only did they find herself intriguing due to her flamboyant personality, characterized by her striking makeup and unique behavior, but also because of her heartfelt interview with pastor Steve Pieters, a gay man living with AIDS, on her widely acclaimed Christian talk show Tammy’s House Party, back in 1985. This significant moment, along with her controversial history tied to the growth of televangelism and the collapse of her ex-husband’s television empire, inspired John and Furnish to acquire the rights to adapt her life story into a West End play and eventually a Broadway musical.

John shared that after spending extensive time in America multiple times, he found himself deeply intrigued by it, akin to the captivating moment when Princess Diana held hands with a man at the Lighthouse in London. He exclaimed, “This woman is extraordinary!” not only because of her appearance and demeanor but also due to her vivaciousness, radiance, and boundless qualities like joy and forgiveness. Consequently, he always remained spellbound by her.

He seized the opportunity to compose the musical, as I’m deeply drawn to individuals who’ve experienced tremendous success, only to face exile and loss, yet they returned due to their unwavering faith and convictions, ultimately reversing their fortunes,” he explained further.

In October’s Manhattan, following his performance at the debut of a film chronicling his life in New York, and after witnessing the Broadway cast’s first rehearsal of the musical, John expressed great satisfaction. He stated he was “extremely pleased” with the musical’s new choreography and the overall sound.

12 years ago, after acquiring the life rights, with the approval of Tammy Faye Messner’s second spouse, Roe Messner, John and Furnish formed a creative team consisting of book writer James Graham and director Rupert Goold. John composed the music for the production and collaborated on the score with Jake Shears from Scissor Sisters, who contributed the lyrics. Drawing inspiration from Southern American music, John incorporated some country twang to create the musical’s unique sound.

As a gamer, I’ve always been drawn to the rich musical heritage that originated in the American South. It’s where it all began for me too, musically speaking. Guess you could say, I’ve got a bit of southern spirit coursing through my veins!

In 2022, I had the privilege of witnessing the grand debut of this captivating musical at London’s Almeida Theater, an event that was hailed as “spectacularly entertaining” by The New York Times. Now, I find myself eagerly awaiting its Broadway premiere on November 14 at the beautifully refurbished Palace Theatre. While many faces are new, Katie Brayben, who won an Olivier award for her portrayal of Tammy Faye, will be reprising her role. Christian Borle steps into the shoes of Tammy’s first husband, co-host, and co-founder of their PTL Television Network, Jim Bakker. Michael Cerveris takes on the role of Jerry Falwell, a fellow televangelist who succeeded in PTL after a scandal. I can hardly wait to experience this journey once again!

The tale of Tammy Faye has been brought to life on both the big screen and the stage. Notably, it was portrayed in the 2021 film “The Eyes of Tammy Faye,” starring Jessica Chastain and Andrew Garfield, and has also been a subject for several stage adaptations.

Previously, John has composed music for multiple theater productions such as “The Lion King,” “Aida,” “Billy Elliot: The Musical” on Broadway, and most recently, “The Devil Wears Prada.” This production is set to debut at the West End this month following a controversial first showing in Chicago. Regarding the decision to turn this narrative into a musical, Furnish stated that it was an inherent aspect of the story itself.

It’s a vibrant, bold, and colorful world, full of life beyond the ordinary, and music played a crucial role in it. Tammy was an exceptional singer. The significance of hymns, music, and faith perfectly aligns with musical theater. It seemed like it was begging to be showcased,” Furnish expressed.

The play’s portrayal of her life also delves into the growth of American televangelism and the simultaneous emergence of the conservative movement during Ronald Reagan’s era. This aspect, according to John, could potentially be controversial.

Many evangelical individuals might find our statements displeasing, however, it’s crucial to acknowledge that when Jerry Falwell persuaded Ronald Reagan to incorporate religion into government, this marked a profound transformation in the very fabric of America that has endured over time.

John draws a parallel between Messner and Evita (Eva Perón) – both being influential women whose lives have been dramatized – by saying she’s “intricate, multifaceted, yet impossible to look away from.” While Messner was admired, especially within the gay community, for her empathy towards Pieters and individuals battling HIV/AIDS, she was also connected to a television dynasty that crumbled following her husband, Jim Bakker’s conviction on charges of fraud and conspiracy in 1989. These accusations claimed he misused church donations for personal expenses and settlements related to a former church secretary who alleged rape against him.

In the midst of turmoil, I, too, found myself captivated by Messner’s extraordinary journey. Battling drug addiction, cancer, and yet standing firm on the values of love, forgiveness, and faith, she mirrors a character straight out of Shakespeare. My hope is that those who witness her musical performance will be left in awe, realizing they may have underestimated her before.

John described her as quite fascinating, encompassing both virtues and vices. You simply couldn’t look away from her, as she was always captivatingly present. Despite performing questionable actions, John believes she may have been unaware of the repercussions, such as those associated with PTL and Heritage USA [the Bakker’s theme park] and similar situations. It seemed like things just spiraled out of control for her.

“It got ahead of itself. It got too big. It got way beyond her,” Furnish added. 

In entertainment, this kind of situation often arises, but she remained steadfast in her beliefs and her kindness. She didn’t intentionally navigate through these challenges. To me, that makes her a true hero, and it’s a joy and privilege to write about such characters,” John expressed.

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2024-10-04 22:25