Rock-n-roll is a big part of the formation of the contemporary music scene. One of the people behind it was Tina Turner, who ruled with her fierce vocals and electric energy. She was responsible for merging rock and pop during the 70s and 80s. Her powerful force and impact on the music industry will never be replicated. Behind the over-the-top energy and the limelight, Tina Turner was a survivor. Her story was muddled in the beginning with hardships, but she decided to turn things around as best as she could. In the musical Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, her life is celebrated through the art of theatre. People will witness where her strength comes from and how the Queen of Rock became the icon that she was. See this tribute at the Steven Tanger Center this March.
TINA – The Tina Turner Musical Tickets:
“As bio-musicals go, this is as good as it gets.” – The Guardian
“This is one fine specimen in the best showbiz tradition of the Great Big Broadway Musical.” – Variety
“It’s so resounding joyous you don’t care.” – Echoes
Tina Turner’s story is well-documented through the years of her career. It is even too public that the icon herself had a hard time constantly being bombarded with questions about her life and her and Ike Turner’s past relationship. It got to the point that she refused to answer questions about it. She felt that it was repetitive and clouded her prolific career.
An up-and-coming producer by the name of Tali Pelman was well aware of the boundaries set forth by the Queen of Rock when she decided to pursue the idea of creating a musical just for the icon. But the idea of a Tina Turner musical is too good to miss. As a show of respect, Pelman decided to contact the icon’s team. After some time, she got the chance to pitch the idea to Tina Turner. The great musician refused, as expected. She did not want to dwell on her past life anymore. People knew too much about it already. It was made into a movie, and she did not like how dramatized it was. Pelman then cleared her intentions, saying that this musical would all be coming from her. This is a chance to rewrite how people saw her past. Pelman asked her to retell her story through her point of view. The producer basically gave her a proposition, and that is to become part of the development of the musical. It might have taken a long time, but Tina Turner finally got convinced, and she became the main validator of the book and music.
When Pelman and Tina Turner decided to work together, they began recruiting the individuals who would work for its development. Writers Frank Ketelaar and Kees Prins took the job and wrote the initial script of the musical. Katori Hall then continued their work. The young writer showed potential in her past works. To honor Tina Turner, she went out of her way and followed the icon’s story closely. After that, Phyllida Lloyd accepted the directorial job of the musical. His creative direction helped translate the script to the sage. Mark Thompson would then join to work on costume design and Anthony van Laast for choreography.
Tina Turner decided to interrupt her retirement to work with the development team. Her input to music was immense. From the music chosen to the scenes played out, she was consulted.
To capture Tina Turner’s story in its entirety, Hall began her script on the icon’s childhood – when Tina was Anna Mae Bullock. Anna Mae grew up in the small town of Nutbush in Tennessee. In that town, she discovered her love for music, and a dream of becoming a star bubbled inside her. The church became an avenue for her to hone her singing. She did not stop performing and then decided to leave the town. A feeling that her destiny was somewhere else was strong enough and brought her to St. Louis, Missouri.
In St. Louis, she met Ike Turner, who would become her partner in the band Ike & Tina Turner Revue. At first, their relationship is strong, but that changes when Ike begins to mistreat her at the height of their career. This led to their separation. This was the part of the story Tina Turner did not want to go back to again. With the help of Hall, they handled this part with sensitivity. For decades, the media inflated this part of the icon’s life, and Hall decided that her script was a chance for the icon to reclaim this part of her story. The writer focused on how Tina Turner’s resilience shone through during this time. Also, she wrote it in a way that it was only passing moments to make way for the comeback and stardom Tina Turner had afterward.
The music of the musical is what makes this musical powerful. 22 songs from Tina Turner’s discography were included. “River Deep Mountain High,” “Proud Mary,” “Private Dancer,” “I Can’t Stand the Rain,” “What’s Love Got to Do with It?,” “We Don’t Need Another Hero (Thunderdome),” and “The Best” are among the track and they are incredible to witness being performed. It is like watching the Queen of Rock have a concert once again.
After the thorough conception, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical opened on West End at the Aldwych Theatre. It ran there from 2018 to 2023. Only a year after the premiere, Broadway caught up and had a production at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. On the other hand, other international productions started in Australia, Spain, and the Netherlands.
The West End and Broadway productions were crowd and critics’ favorites. Rightfully so, it received multiple accolades. Nominations for the Tony and Olivier Awards were many. The musical bagged one award each. Other award-giving bodies also celebrated it. Some of these are the Drama Desk Award, Drama League Awards, and Outer Critics Circle Awards.
The Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts is where the rock-n-rolling will be from March 26 to March 31. The cast will be led by both Naomi Rodgers and Zurin Villanueva as Tina. Other stars join them, such as Roderick Lawrence as Ike Turner, Roz White as Zelma Bullock, Carla Stewart as Gran Georgeanna, and Lael Van Keuren as Rhonda.
The Queen of Rock never really left us as her music continues to be enjoyed, and her story continues to inspire people. Revel in the music of a legend in the most creative way. This musical will intensify your love for the one and only Tina! Secure your tickets now.