Tammy Faye: A New Musical - Almeida

I thoroughly enjoyed this yesterday. Zubin's 'Satellite of God' was a particular highlight for me, but the entire show and cast were great!

Well, what fun that was!

Firstly, thank you for all of the likes to my previous post.

The seat I was allocated was perfect! Smack bang in the centre- the perfect view.

I don't know a great deal about American TV evangelism.

It wasn't something regularly televised when I was growing up in Australia. I mean I was certainly aware of Tammy Faye through some interviews, but that's about it.

So it was great to see their raise to fame and their ultimate demise. Also the mechanics going on behind the scenes plotting to being them down.

And there's so much there- flamboyance, extravagance, overspending, affairs, homosexuality, - I could go on.

Such ripe material for a musical.

The music was great. Despite hearing it for the first time, I found myself tapping my foot.

I'd love a cast recording.

There was an incredibly hard working ensemble covering many roles. There were also a couple of laugh out loud laughs.

I loved the costumes, wigs and lighting.

The staging was simple bit effective. Some slick choregraphy.

Great to see Andrew Randell actually performing- BTW, his fringe, didn't move.

But this show belongs too Katie Brayben's show. She is just sensational.

I caught the matinee today and the nouse was full!

This show is in a terrific condition. If this doesn't transfer I'll be shocked!

You’re going to need to be more specific - there’s way too many problematic A list Hollywood actors to guess who that might be. 🤨

Saw this last night and absolutely loved it. One of the most exciting pieces of theatre I’ve seen in a while. I’d go as far to say as one of the top five most enjoyable theatre experiences I’ve ever had. It felt so human and full of joy. It also feels very relevant to the current political climate, and with the Tammy Faye film seems well timed.

The first act was particularly joyous and a lot of fun, I laughed a lot and found myself smiling throughout, thoroughly captivated. The second act was much more focused on the downfall of PTL and did feel less focused on Tammy specifically - I think I would have liked to have seen more of her response and struggle with what happened developing over time. If there’s any tightening up I would say it’s the second act that needs it, my attention went at points, though it was still very enjoyable with some powerful moments.

Katie Brayben performance is phenomenal. It’s going to win awards for sure. Andrew Rannell’s performance is very similar to other things I’ve seen him in but his role seems to be more about supporting Tammy’s evolution, though I did appreciate his character’s vulnerability towards the end of act 2 showing some depth. Zubin Varla and Amy Booth-Steele were other particular stand outs but the whole cast gave it their all. Very strong performances all round and a real ensemble piece. It seemed they all really believed in the piece and were having fun.

The book is strong with witty and clever writing and I loved the direction, along with the set design - the use of projection really complemented the set, reminding you that everything we were witnessing was broadcast and the different boxes the cast appeared from and how they lit the set was so effective. Loved those aspects.

The music and lyrics are enjoyable and well performed. I can’t remember any melodies but I would definitely listen to a cast album. I responded to the songs whether they were comedic or emotional and they served the story well. Some work could be done to refine these. Comedic songs in Act 1, end of Act 1 Katie Brayben emotional belting was epic and final songs in Act 2 were great. Did anyone find the song with Zubin’s character convincing the board director and his wife of his plan like ‘Easy Street’ from Annie? I’d give that a rewrite because it could be a really powerful moment and seemed a bit of a miss, particularly for how dark Zubin’s character was. The manipulation could be made even more insidious than comical. Throughout though, Zubin did an amazing job with his material.

Even though it does need some work, I’d honestly see this again tonight, I enjoyed it that much. Would currently give it a 4 star but it’s got potential for 5 stars. Hopefully, some bits can be reworked to elevate it because its potential really is so exciting (which you can probably tell from my comments). So great to see an original musical delivering like this at this stage in its development. I’m absolutely rooting for its future.

West End transfer seems pretty definite, particularly with the reviews and audience responses - someone mentioned recently that Phoenix is possible for a venue after Come From Away finishes, though does anyone know if anything’s confirmed to go in there after Noises Off ends in March 2023? Would be a good venue in terms of it still feeling fairly intimate, reflecting the Almeida.

As an aside, MickeyJoTheatre makes some interesting comments in his review on YouTube which articulated a lot of my own feelings.

I don't see much of this kind of theatre so I'm in not in a position to say much. I enjoyed it, huge energy and commitment by the performers, amusing and cynical, honest and earnest. Won't be whistling any of the tunes, though huge admiration for Katie Brayben wringing out everything she could.

Felt very developed, expensive, the pathway to Broadway set.

Of course, the West End will come first, though we were pondering the target demographics and how it will land in New York, which is always a fun conversation. The journey won't be as fraught as Tammy's though will be fascinating to follow.

A Brucie bonus from me for the echo of Mrs Slocombe in Tammy's friend/assistant (Jan?), absent her pussy >>

Without commenting, I had thought someone with two golden globes was A list. 😬

True but we had his botching the hosting of the Academy Awards. Can edit to “formerly A list”

Your knowledge is doing much better than mine. Until reading the reviews, both professional & on here, I was under the vague impression that Tammy Faye was a Country & Western singer. Fortunately I haven't booked for the show!

Bit of random trivia for you.
Billy Graham who features at the start of the musical was a huge evangelist preacher in the 70s and, I believe, had a couple of audiences with the Queen when he was in England. He did some services at Wembley Stadium and were huge events. Anyway I had an American relative who was part of his team and when he was over in England with Billy Graham he came to visit us in Cornwall. I was a teenager at the time and I remember the family were all quite excited.

You may think that is random trivia, but your brief meeting of someone who has raised tens of millions in the name of religion could form the basis of books and films. If you were to go to the US and tell them your family hosted Billy Graham, people would be desperate to touch you and feed off your aura.

Note, that response does not reflect my personal feelings towards evangelist preachers.

I feel the impact of religion in the US is very well balanced in this musical for a UK audience. It will be very controversial some US audience members (after all, I remember reading opinions about how controversial the most recent revival of Pippin was).

Is it just straight up storytelling then rather than biting satire? Is it all naturalistic or are there elements of abstraction or fantasy?