Christian Borle will star in the Tammy Faye musical on Broadway, replacing the previously announced Andrew Rannells.
Borle, a two-time Tony Award winner for playing Shakespeare in Something Rotten and Black Stache in Peter and the Starcatcher, will take over the role of Jim Bakker, fellow televangelist and husband to Tammy Faye, who will be played by Katie Brayben.
Rannells originated the role of Bakker, opposite Brayben, in London and was initially announced to transfer to Broadway with the production, but said on the Tony Awards red carpet that he would no longer be involved in the musical due to a contract dispute.
The production features music by Elton John and is set to play the renovated Palace Theater starting Oct. 19, with an opening night on Nov. 14.
“Christian is one of Broadway’s most exciting leading men and I am beyond thrilled that he will be joining the company of Tammy Faye,” Elton John said. “I know Christian will perfectly capture both the humor and the darkness written into the role and I, along with the rest of the creative team, cannot wait to see him and Katie bring this unforgettable couple to life this fall.”
Borle’s most recent Broadway role was as Joe/Josephine in Some Like it Hot on Broadway. He has also appeared in Thoroughly Modern Millie, Legally Blonde, Falsettos, in which he starred opposite Rannells, and more. He just finished a run as Albert Peterson in the Kennedy Center’s production of Bye Bye Birdie and also starred as Orin Scrivello in Little Shop of Horrors Off-Broadway at the Westside Theater.
Tammy Faye features lyrics by Scissor Sisters’ Jake Shears, and a book by James Graham, the playwright of Ink, centered on Rupert Murdoch. Rupert Goold, who helmed Ink and King Charles III, directs.
