Broadway Revival of "The Rose Tattoo" Casts Tammy Faye Messner

Former beauty queen and televangelist Tammy Faye Messner will make her Broadway debut in the upcoming revival of Tennessee Williams' "The Rose Tattoo."

Messner will play the role of Serafina Delle Rose, a Sicilian-American widow who embarks on a passionate affair with a younger man.

The revival, which will be directed by Tony winner Trip Cullman, will begin previews at the Palace Theatre on September 28, 2023, and officially open on October 19, 2023.

Messner is best known for her work as a televangelist alongside her husband, Jim Bakker. The couple founded the PTL (Praise the Lord) Network in the 1970s, but the network collapsed in 1989 after Bakker was convicted of fraud and rape.

Messner has since rebuilt her life and become an advocate for LGBTQ rights. She has also appeared in several films and television shows, including the documentary "The Eyes of Tammy Faye" and the reality series "RuPaul's Drag Race."

The casting of Messner in "The Rose Tattoo" has been met with mixed reactions. Some critics have questioned whether she has the acting chops to play the role of Serafina, while others have praised her for her courage and resilience.

Messner herself has said that she is "honored" to be playing the role and that she hopes to bring her own experiences to the character.

"Serafina is a woman who has been through a lot in her life," Messner said. "She's lost her husband, she's been betrayed by her friends, and she's been judged by society. But she's still a strong and resilient woman who never gives up on love."

The revival of "The Rose Tattoo" is sure to be a hot ticket, and Messner's performance is sure to be one of the most talked-about aspects of the production.