Elton John’s $25 Million Musical Closes After 5 Days
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Elton John, the music legend behind timeless hits like “Rocket Man” and “I’m Still Standing,” has spent decades dazzling fans with his creativity. John’s accomplishments are unmatched from selling over 300 million albums to being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Beyond the charts, he’s also brought beloved musicals like The Lion King and Billy Elliot to life. However, not every project is a smash hit—his latest Broadway venture, Tammy Faye, is closing after just one week.
Honoring Tammy Faye’s Legacy
The musical, inspired by televangelist Tammy Faye Messner, aimed to spotlight her extraordinary life. Faye, who co-founded The PTL Club with her husband Jim Bakker, was known for her bold personality and groundbreaking support of the LGBTQ community when it was rare within religious circles.
“She took a chance. It was pretty remarkable for someone in the religious community,” John shared with Good Morning America. He admired her unwavering compassion for people with HIV/AIDS and the LGBTQ community, noting:
“No one else in the evangelical community was very gay-friendly at all. They, well, totally hated us. She stood out. And I loved her for that.”
While John’s admiration for Faye’s legacy was clear, the show struggled to connect with audiences.
Ticket Troubles and Costly Reviews
Despite John’s passion for the project, Tammy Faye faced serious challenges. According to an insider quoted by The Daily Mail, “It was always going to be difficult, even the writers feared the storyline didn’t translate for the audience.” The production, staged in a 1,700-seat venue, reportedly sold only 300 tickets per night. “This is not exactly great for Elton,” the insider admitted.
The reviews didn’t help matters either. Critics were less than kind, with the same source noting:
“The first-night reviews were not exactly positive. They thought they’d be canceled before the year is out.”
Set to close on December 8, the musical’s short run isn’t just a creative disappointment—it’s also costly. The production, which aimed to honor Faye’s bold spirit, racked up over $20 million in expenses.
