Tammy Faye Bakker, the once-iconic televangelist known for her vibrant personality and unshakable faith, has been the subject of numerous documentaries, biopics, and even an autobiography. Yet, her life story has now been given a fresh and deeply emotional retelling in the form of a Broadway musical. Tammy Faye, which opened at the Palace Theater in Manhattan, brings a colorful, poignant, and at times campy perspective to the life of the woman who became a cultural icon — not just because of her evangelical career, but for her unwavering empathy for those often rejected by mainstream society.
In many ways, Tammy Faye’s legacy has always been about redemption. She rose to prominence in the 1970s as part of the televangelist duo with her husband, Jim Bakker, on their show The PTL Club. Together, they achieved immense success, reaching millions of viewers through their brand of gospel and entertainment. However, their downfall came in the late 1980s, marked by scandal, fraud, and a highly publicized divorce. While Jim Bakker’s scandalous actions were well-documented, Tammy Faye’s more compassionate and empathetic side often got overshadowed by the controversies surrounding her marriage and television ministry.
This new musical, with a pop-country score and a mix of farcical humor and earnest biography, aims to capture that very side of her — the woman who loved everyone, especially those rejected by society. Tammy Faye’s most famous act of defiance came in 1985, when she interviewed a gay man, the Rev. A. Stephen Pieters, who was suffering from AIDS. In doing so, she made a bold statement that deeply resonated with the LGBTQ+ community, admonishing fellow Christians for not embracing those in need of love and support.
As Elton John, who composed the music for the show, puts it: “If you were an outcast or pariah, Tammy Faye loved you even more.” The musical showcases this compassion, particularly toward the LGBTQ+ community, which Tammy Faye came to be a champion of. Her legacy as an advocate for love, inclusivity, and understanding — particularly in an era when these were not mainstream values — is central to this new work.
In a time when representation and acceptance have become key themes in both politics and entertainment, Tammy Faye the musical feels like a powerful redemption. It provides a platform for the forgotten aspects of her story — not just as a controversial televangelist, but as a woman who stood up for the marginalized and spoke out against hate. The musical blends campy humor with sincere storytelling, offering audiences a vibrant, entertaining, and deeply human portrayal of a woman who might have been misunderstood but, in the end, was always on the side of love.
By embracing both her flaws and her grace, Tammy Faye the musical provides a fitting tribute to a woman who, despite her many personal and professional setbacks, left an indelible mark on the world. It’s a story of redemption not just for Tammy Faye herself but for the very concept of loving others, regardless of their background or identity.
