The musical "Tammy Faye" has been a subject of much discussion. With an Elton John score, it initially received well-deserved acclaim in London but faced a different fate upon reaching Broadway. This story unfolds with a series of events that have left both the creative team and the audience in a state of surprise.

A Musical's Journey from London to Broadway's Disappointment

London's Success and Broadway's Struggle

Well-reviewed in London, the musical with its Elton John score seemed to be on a promising path. It picked up good reviews and was set to make its mark. However, when it arrived in New York, the reception was far from what was expected. The show, which opened on Nov. 14, will now close on Dec. 8 after a relatively short run. This unexpected turn of events has left many wondering what went wrong.

Despite the initial hype and the talented creative team behind it, the box office performance has been disastrous. Last week, it was the lowest-grossing show on Broadway, with houses that were 37 percent empty in one of Broadway's largest theaters. This is a far cry from the success it achieved in London.

The Creative Team's Brilliance

The musical boasts an accomplished creative team. The music is by the legendary Elton John, and the lyrics are by Jake Shears of the Scissor Sisters. The book is written by James Graham, a well-regarded British playwright, and the director is Rupert Goold, who is the artistic director of the Almeida Theater in London. This team's combined talent was expected to bring the story of Tammy Faye to life in a captivating way.

It had an initial run at the Almeida starting in the fall of 2022, where it likely honed its craft and built a certain level of anticipation. But translating that success to Broadway proved to be a challenge.

The Cast's Performances

The cast is led by Katie Brayben, making her Broadway debut as the title character, Tammy Faye Bakker. She won an Olivier Award for her performance in London, which added to the excitement surrounding the show. She is joined by Christian Borle as the protagonist's husband, Jim Bakker. Borle, a two-time Tony winner, was a late-in-the-game replacement for Andrew Rannells, who played the role in London and was announced for New York but left the project after failing to reach an agreement on employment terms with the producers.

Their performances are crucial in bringing the story to the stage, but even with their talent, the show has struggled to find its footing in New York.