In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Jay Bakker, son of the late evangelist Tammy Faye Messner, expressed his heartfelt reaction to the upcoming Broadway musical, Tammy Faye, which celebrates his mother’s life. Following a dress rehearsal on October 2, just weeks ahead of its October 19 debut, Jay shared insights about the production and his conversation with the show’s music icon, Elton John.
Recalling his video call with John, 77, Jay, 48, described how the legendary musician asked if he had captured his mother’s spirit in the show. “I was like, ‘Yeah, yeah, you did,’” Jay said, underscoring the personal significance of the production. He elaborated that experiencing the musical felt akin to “getting hit by a freight train,” adding, “It’s like having all your trauma in a musical.”
Jay explained that the emotional weight of the performance was almost overwhelming, likening it to a surreal journey through his family’s past. “It’s surreal. There are times I almost wanted to raise my hand, and then I was like, ‘I can’t. This is not an interactive play,’” he said, reflecting on the deep personal connection he feels to the material.
Despite the emotional challenges, Jay praised the creative team, including John, lyricist Jake Shears, and book writer James Graham, for their ability to honor his mother’s legacy. “They did a great job, and it really seems to celebrate my mother’s life,” he said, emphasizing the complexity of portraying over two decades of ministry and personal struggles. “They really captured my mom’s spirit.”
Jay noted that the musical also sheds light on his father, Jim Bakker’s, character, highlighting his workaholic tendencies while providing a broader understanding of their family dynamics. “It’s more like Elton John saying, ‘I want to tell the world that this is a good woman,’” he remarked.
Originally premiering in London’s West End in 2022, Tammy Faye will now feature Katie Brayben reprising her award-winning role as Tammy, alongside Tony Award winners Christian Borle and Michael Cerveris as Jim Bakker and Reverend Jerry Falwell, respectively.
Jay fondly recalled personal anecdotes about his mother, such as their simple outings to restaurants like Pizza Hut and Applebee’s, adding a layer of intimacy to the larger-than-life persona of Tammy Faye. He also shared a humorous moment involving actress Jessica Chastain, who portrayed his mother in the 2021 film The Eyes of Tammy Faye. “I’m like, ‘You should probably take it down a few hundred notches,’” he joked about the lavish nature of the fundraiser Chastain organized.
Reflecting on Tammy Faye’s character, Jay recounted how she would respond to critics with grace. “When people came up to her to say mean things, you might see her wince for like a second, and then she’d be like, ‘But you don’t know me, honey. Let me introduce myself. I’m Tammy,’” he remembered.
Jay believes that if his mother were alive to see her resurgence in pop culture, she would feel a sense of gratitude. “I think she would be excited about it,” he noted. “But for the most part, I think she would be grateful. We don’t get to choose what happens to our legacy. And for me, for her, it’s total redemption.”
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