Jake Shears reveals new song for Tammy Faye Broadway transfer

Jake Shears has revealed a new song for the Broadway transfer of Tammy Faye, and has credited starring in Cabaret for inspiring its lyrics.

Shears, who is currently playing Cabaret’s Emcee in its production at the Playhouse Theatre in London, said that being in a "classic musical" was an education in "what makes a good show".

It comes after the former Scissor Sisters bandmate enjoyed news that Tammy Faye, which premiered at the Almeida Theatre last year, will transfer to an as-yet-unannounced Nederlander venue for the 2024-25 season.

Alongside Shears’ lyrics, Tammy Faye, which tells the story of an American televangelist, features music by Elton John and a book by James Graham.

In conversation with his Cabaret co-star, pop singer Self Esteem, at an event at the Cumberland Hotel’s SOUND Cafe in London, Shears admitted that he had been "having a blast" performing in the West End.

He continued: "I have found that being inside musicals and writing them and making records and performing my own work all links together. There is something about being inside of a classic musical, being inside of a great show and inside that structure – you learn so much about what makes a good show.

"Cabaret is of course one of the best musicals ever made. I’ve been working on an extra song for my musical Tammy Faye before it goes to New York next year and sitting there listening to What Would You Do?, a song in the second act of Cabaret, sparked a whole other idea in my head. There’s nothing like being in a show to feed your imagination."

Shears made his Broadway debut in Kinky Boots on Broadway in 2018, in the role of Charlie Price. He has previously composed music and lyrics alongside John Garden for the musical Tales of the City, based on the series by Armistead Maupin.

Reflecting on his journey from pop touring to musical theatre, Shears added: "I’ve been having a relationship now with theatre for years. I started writing musicals in 2006, so I feel like it’s always gone hand in hand with [my music career].

"Going into Kinky Boots changed my performance on stage and my own stuff in a big way. There’s something about going out every night, every day, sometimes twice a day, over and over and over again, that takes all your fear away."