Photo Flash: The Big Tent in Concert

Big Tent: The Tammy Faye Bakker Musical had its first public viewing in a fully staged concert at Off-Broadway's New World Stages (340 West 50th Street) at 8pm on Wednesday, May 23, 2007.

Jim Stanek (Lestat, A Funny Thing..., Jacques Brel) took on the role of disgraced preacher Jim Bakker, with Mark Aldrich as George Dortch, Leah Hocking (All Shook Up, The Wild Party) as Tammy Faye Bakker, "You're the One That I Want" finalist Kate Rockwell as Jessica Hahn, and Allen Kendall as Jerry Falwell.  The show featured ensemble including Casey Clark, Eric Briarley, Sean Montgomery, Ryan Driscoll and Lucy Sorensen. Music Director Adam Ben David led a four-piece rock band: Mike Aarons, Michael Blanco, Gary Seligson. Andrew Keenan-Bolger (Grace Falls, Seussical) served as Assistant Director.

The show is written and conceived by Jeffery Self, with music and lyrics by Ben Cohn and Sean McDaniel.   The concert event was produced by Tim Hur and directed by Ryan J. Davis (White Noise, Mr. Broadway Pageant).

Big Tent focuses on the rise and fall of Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker's "Praise The Lord" (PTL) television network and it's controversial dealings with the late Reverend Jerry Falwell. "A cultural icon for more than thirty years, Tammy Faye Bakker's phenomenal rise from farm girl to evangelist superstar has finally been put onstage with a terrific pop-country score. Her unique style has made her beloved by mainstream Christians, as well as by gays and other outsiders whom she welcomed under her 'big tent.' In this ninety-minute, six character musical, we follow Tammy as she fights to maintain her dignity amidst sex and business scandals. Her perseverance in the face of private tragedy and public ridicule has made her a testament to the endurance of the human spirit," state press notes.

For more information and excerpts from the score, visit the official Big Tent myspace: www.myspace.com/tammymusical.

Photos by Rachel Maier

Casey Clark, Leah Hocking, Kate Rockwell and Lucy Sorensen

The full cast

Jim Stanek, Ryan Driscoll, Eric Briarley, Sean Montgomery, Mark Aldrich and Allen Kendall

Jim Stanek and Leah Hocking

Sean McDaniel, Kate Rockwell and Ben Cohn

Rachel Maier and Andrew Keenan-Bolger

Ryan J. Davis, Sean McDaniel, Ben Cohn and Jeffery Self

Sean Montgomery and Jeffery Self