'Gospel According to Tammy Faye' New Musical Reading Dec.16-18

Columbia Gorge Repertory Theatre/Jesse Merz, Artistic Director and Lisa Dozier announce that The Gospel According to Tammy Faye, a new two-act musical based on the life of televangelist Tammy Faye Messner, will be presented in three special industry readings in New York City, on Sunday, December 16 at 7PM; Monday, December 17 at 4PM and Tuesday, December 18 at 2PM. Mindy Cooper (choreographer for Dracula, The Musical) directs and choreographs and Seth Farber is the musical director.

With a book by Fernando Dovalina and music and lyrics by JT Buck, The Gospel According to Tammy Faye is based on a first-hand account on her life as told to the show's creators. The Gospel According to Tammy Faye tells the rags to riches to rags to redemption story of the most famous female televangelist in U.S. history, and features a mix of original music that ranges from gospel to disco to 70s pop to tango to soft country rock. The musical features a cast of characters that includes Jim Bakker, Jessica Hahn, Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson and Roe Messner, among others.

The musical made its world premiere in June 2006 as part of the Cincinnati Fringe Festival. In August 2006, the Columbia Gorge Repertory Theatre presented Equity Staged Readings of the musical, including three at the CoHo Theatre in Portland, OR. In July 2007, Bering and Friends presented the musical at the Alley Theatre in Houston.

The three presentations of The Gospel According to Tammy Faye will feature Julie Foldesi (Little Women, The Full Monty), Erika Foss, Ken Land (Scarlet Pimpernel, Victor/Victoria), James T. Lane (A Chorus Line), Tony-nominee Sally Mayes (She Loves Me, Urban Cowboy), Heather Parcells (A Chorus Line), Erin Leigh Peck (Dance of the Vampires, Grease), Dale Radunz (Big River National Tour), Tom Stuart and William Youmans (The Farnsworth Invention, Wicked).

The Associate Director/Choreographer of The Gospel According to Tammy Faye is Joe Bowerman, and the Stage Manager is Mei Ling Acevedo. Casting is by Dave Clemmons Casting.

Reservations for the three presentations of The Gospel According to Tammy Faye can be arranged by emailing tammyfayemusical@gmail.com or by calling 646-415-0301.

For more information, visit www.TammyFayeMusical.com.

Photo: Writers JT Buck and Fernando Dovalina with Tammy Faye in 2005