MUSIC Music

Elton John thinks recent musical flopped because 'it was too political for America': 'They don't really get irony'

by admin on | 2025-04-06 11:53:55

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Elton John is reflecting on his Broadway flop.

The "Tiny Dancer" singer recently discussed two of his theatrical projects — the New York City production of Tammy Faye and the West End staging of The Devil Wears Prada — and how different audiences' responses were to them.

"We put out two musicals recently, one a huge flop in America and the other a huge hit in England," John said of the shows, for which he contributed original music, in a new interview with The Times. (Scissor Sisters' Jake Shears wrote the lyrics for Tammy Faye, while Shaina Taub and Mark Sonnenblick were John's cowriters on The Devil Wears Prada). 

John explained that he thinks American audiences weren't ready to engage with Tammy Faye due to its critical political messaging. "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," John said. "It was too political for America. They don't really get irony."

After an initial run on the West End in 2022, Tammy Faye transferred to Broadway's Palace Theatre in November 2024. The show, which follows the life of the late televangelist Tammy Faye Messner, starred Katie Brayben in the titular role and co-starred Christian Borle as Jim Bakker and Michael Cerveris as Jerry Falwell. It ultimately announced its closing just five days after it opened, and ran for only 24 preview performances and 29 regular shows.