Elton John isn’t shying away from calling out one of his rare missteps. In a candid interview with The Sunday Times, the music icon labeled his Broadway musical Tammy Faye a “flop,” contrasting its failure in the U.S. with the success of The Devil Wears Prada in London’s West End.
Tammy Faye, which premiered on Broadway on November 14, 2024, was based on the life of the infamous singing televangelist. Despite high expectations, it closed just a month later, struggling to attract audiences and filling only 63% of seats, according to The New York Times.
John believes the show’s timing and political overtones may have contributed to its downfall. “It came out during the US election and it’s all about how the integration of church and state ruined America, which Ronald Reagan did,” he said. “It was too political for America. They don’t really get irony.”
The musical featured lyrics by Jake Shears of Scissor Sisters, was directed by Rupert Goold, and starred Katie Brayben as Tammy Faye. While this project didn’t resonate stateside, John’s legacy in musical theater remains strong, with acclaimed work on The Lion King, Billy Elliot, and Aida. He recently released a collaborative album with Brandi Carlile titled Who Believes in Angels?
Source: Swifteradio.com
