Jay Bakker Relives ‘Trauma’ In Elton John ‘Tammy Faye’ Musical
A new biographical musical about Tammy Faye Messner is coming out with music from Elton John. The first look at the music from the musical makes it seem like nothing any fan of Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker could ever expect. However, for his part, Elton John reached out to their son, Jay Bakker, to get his thoughts on the musical.
Here is what Jay said after seeing the musical about his mom.
Jay Bakker Calls Tammy Faye A ‘Traumatic’ Experience
Elton John and Jay Bakker were on a conference call together to talk about the Tammy Faye musical. Elton wrote the music for it, while Jake Shears wrote the music, and Rupert Gould directs it. Jay admitted to seeing it and had some interesting thoughts about it.
Jay said Elton asked if he had caught his mother’s spirit in the musical and he admitted that he did. Jay, who is also a pastor and author, was at the October 2 dress rehearsal for the musical, which debuts on Broadway on October 19.
“It’s like having all your trauma in a musical,” Jay said (via PEOPLE). “Almost like, ‘Here’s some mushrooms. Let’s relive the trauma.’ … It’s surreal. There’s times I almost wanted to raise my hand … and then I was like, ‘I can’t. This is not an interactive play.’ ”
Jay admitted that the people who wrote the lyrics, the music, and the book all did a good job in telling his mother’s story. “They did a great job, and it really seems to celebrate my mother’s life,” Jay said. “They had to use broad strokes. You’re talking 20-some odd years of ministry and 15, 20 years after that. They really captured my mom’s spirit.”
Despite the nature of the leaked footage online, Jay said that Elton John wanted to show the world that Tammy Faye was a “good woman” while his dad was a workaholic.”
Tammy Faye Already Played In West End
The leaked footage is not surprising since this is not the first time that Tammy Faye has played on the stage. Before making its Broadway debut, the Elton John musical played in London on West End in 2022.
Katie Brayben, who played Tammy Faye Bakker in the musical in London, will reprise her role on Broadway. She actually won Best Actress at the Olivier Awards in 2023 for her performance. Christian Borle plays Jim Bakker in the musical.
Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker divorced in 1992, and the musical tells her story, not his, although it will likely include his arrest and prison sentence. Michael Cerveris stars as Reverend Jerry Falwell in the musical.
What are your thoughts on the upcoming Tammy Faye musical? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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