Sir Elton John thinks his recent Broadway musical, “Tammy Faye,” didn’t do well in America because it was too focused on politics and that American audiences didn’t quite grasp the satire. The legendary singer-songwriter shared his thoughts with The Sunday Times about the show’s brief run on Broadway.
“Tammy Faye,” for which John wrote the music, tells the story of the famous televangelist Tammy Faye Bakker. The show explored the intertwining of church and state in America.
We put out two musicals recently, one a huge flop in America and the other a huge hit in England,” John said, referring to “Tammy Faye” and “The Devil Wears Prada,” which is currently playing in London’s West End.
He explained his view on why “Tammy Faye” struggled, saying, “Tammy Faye came out during the U.S. election, and it’s all about how the integration of church and state ruined America, which Ronald Reagan did. It was too political for America. They don’t really get irony.”
The musical had previously played in London’s West End in the fall of 2022, where it received four Olivier Awards nominations. However, the Broadway production, which officially opened on November 14, 2024, closed shortly after on December 8, 2024, following a month of previews. Reports indicate the show may have lost its entire $25 million staging cost.
Critics in the U.S. also gave the Broadway production mixed reviews.
John also addressed rumors about his potential retirement from music. While his “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” tour concluded in July 2023, he clarified that he has no plans to completely stop making music. He admitted, however, that he has no desire to go back on tour.
To go back and do an Elton John set on tour, I would just kill myself,” he stated. “We went to New Orleans recently to film ‘Spinal Tap 2.’ We drove into the back of a big arena and I turned to David and said, ‘You know, I’ve got hives.’ I couldn’t do a better show than Glastonbury 2023, so what would be the point? You have to know when to fold it.
An eye infection he contracted in November has also significantly affected his eyesight. “I can see you, but I can’t see TV, I can’t read,” John explained.
Tags: Elton John, Tammy Faye, musical, Broadway, politics, irony, The Devil Wears Prada, Ronald Reagan
Meta Description: Elton John believes his musical “Tammy Faye” flopped on Broadway because it was too political for American audiences, who he feels missed the satirical elements.
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Date and Time: Sunday, April 6, 2025 at 8:46 PM PST (India time: Monday, April 7, 2025 at 6:16 AM IST)
