My husband and I are always a bit skeptical of jukebox musicals, because the book don’t always work seamlessly with the artist or band’s music, but TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL was fabulous, mixing the genre with biography and providing a comprehensive look at how Anna Mae Bullock became the inimitable Tina Turner, surviving abuse and mistreatment to reinvent herself as one of rock’s most venerable artists.
We saw Naomi Rodgers (who alternates the lead role with Zurin Villanueva) as Tina, and wow is it a tour-de-force performance. Most musicals have supporting characters who sing several songs and share the load, but TINA demands so much of the main role that the national tour offers two actresses in the role (audiences should be prepared to see Naomi or Zurin). As Gen Xers, my husband and I were well-versed in Turner’s greatest hits, but our favorite performances of the show were PROUD MARY, LET’S STAY TOGETHER, PRIVATE DANCER, WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT, and the Phil Spector-produced RIVER DEEP, MOUNTAIN HIGH, which even days later we can’t stop playing or singing!
This is a fabulous show, and we recommend it for teens and up (the domestic and drug abuse content depicted in Tina’s toxic relationship with Ike Turner is too mature for younger audiences in my opinion). Just be prepared to keep replaying a Tina Turner playlist for a while after the musical!
TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL is at Broadway at the National for a limited engagement Oct. 4 – Oct. 23!
This new musical reveals a comeback story like no other, of a woman who dared to defy the bounds of racism, sexism and ageism to become the global Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll. TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL is a celebration of resilience and an inspiration of triumph over adversity.
One of the world’s best-selling artists of all time, Tina Turner has won 12 Grammy Awards and her live shows have been seen by millions, with more concert tickets sold than any other solo performer in music history.
Featuring her much loved songs, TINA – The Tina Turner Musical is written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Katori Hall and directed by the internationally acclaimed Phyllida Lloyd.
Check out an interview with the two leads about the touring show:
