In a shocking turn of events, the ambitious musical "Tammy Faye," inspired by the life of the scandal-plagued singing televangelist, will dim its lights on Broadway after just a brief stint. The show, which opened on November 14, will close on December 8 and will have presented only 24 preview and 29 regular performances—a bittersweet reality for a production that hailed from some favorable reviews in London but failed to capture the interest of New York audiences.

Backed by a hefty budget of $22 million, "Tammy Faye" struggled to draw in crowds, ultimately ranking as the lowest-grossing show on Broadway last week. Astonishingly, the production performed to nearly 37 percent empty seats in one of the largest theaters, the Palace Theater, which had recently reopened after a significant renovation.

Despite the high-profile creative team behind the show, which included music legend Elton John and lyrics by Jake Shears of the Scissor Sisters, audiences were not enamored by the final product. The book was crafted by James Graham, a respected British playwright, and directed by Rupert Goold, the artistic director of London’s Almeida Theater, where the musical originally premiered in the fall of 2022.

Critics delivered overwhelmingly negative reviews, with The New York Times’ Elisabeth Vincentelli describing the musical as “disjointed” and “strangely bland.”

Katie Brayben, in her Broadway debut as the titular character, Tammy Faye Bakker, had impressed critics in London and even won an Olivier Award for her role. Alongside her, two-time Tony winner Christian Borle made his entrance as Jim Bakker after stepping in as a late replacement for Andrew Rannells, who departed due to contract negotiations.

Produced by Rocket Stage, Elton John’s production company, along with Greene Light Stage and the Nederlander Organization, “Tammy Faye” had all the ingredients for success but is now left questioning its place on Broadway. This closure raises larger questions about the viability of musical adaptations of controversial figures and the current state of Broadway—how can high-profile projects still fail to resonate with audiences?

As "Tammy Faye" bows out of the spotlight, one can’t help but wonder: What does the future hold for Broadway and its daring new musicals? Stay tuned for more updates on this unfolding story!