Pauline Adamek
Experiencing TINA – The Tina Turner Musical a mere few weeks after this iconic legend had passed away proved an incredibly moving experience, and it left me feeling both inspired and heartbroken.
Pictured above: Zurin Villanueva as ‘Tina Turner’ and The TINA Band in the North American touring production of TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL. Photo by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade, 2022.
The slick and upbeat show is a biographical jukebox musical that tells the story of Turner’s life, from her humble beginnings in Nutbush, Tennessee, to her rise to international stardom. It is packed with Turner’s greatest hits, including “What’s Love Got to Do With It,” “Proud Mary,” and “River Deep, Mountain High.”
The show is beautifully performed by Naomi Rodgers, who gives a tour-de-force performance as Turner. Rodgers captures Turner’s charisma, her power, and her vulnerability. She is simply outstanding.
The supporting cast is also excellent. Garrett Turner is particularly good as the abusive villainesque Ike Turner, and Roz White is a delight as Zelma, Tina’s mother.
The direction by Tony Award nominee Phyllida Lloyd is sharp and stylish, and the choreography by Anthony van Laast is simply amazing. The show is full of energy and life, and it is sure to get you on your feet.
But what really makes TINA – The Tina Turner Musical such a special experience is its message of hope and resilience. Tina Turner’s life was full of challenges, but she never gave up on her dreams. She fought for her voice, and she refused to be silenced. This uplifting musical is a celebration of her strength and her determination.
Seeing the show so soon after Turner’s death was a bittersweet experience. It was a reminder of her incredible talent and her lasting legacy, but it was also a reminder of her all-too-human flaws.
The show’s final scene, in which Turner sings “I’m Still Standing,” was particularly moving. It was a reminder that even in the face of adversity, it is possible to overcome and to rise again.
TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL will play three weeks in Los Angeles at the
Hollywood Pantages Theatre from June 13 – July 9, 2023, with tickets available here as well as via www.Ticketmaster.com, or by phone at (800) 982-2787.
The show will then play two weeks in Costa Mesa at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts from July 11-23, 2023, with tickets available at www.scfta.org and by phone at 1-714-556-2787.
The cast is led by Naomi Rodgers (Frozen) and Zurin Villanueva (The Lion King, Mean Girls, Shuffle Along, The Book of Mormon) who will evenly share the role of Tina Turner, each playing four (of eight) performances a week. Also starring are Garrett Turner as Ike Turner, Roz White as Zelma Bullock, Ann Nesby as Gran Georgeanna and Lael Van Keuren as Rhonda.
TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL
LOS ANGELES
Jun 13- July 9, 2023
HOLLYWOOD PANTAGES THEATRE
COSTA MESA
July 11-23, 2023
SEGERSTROM CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Terry Morgan
You thought the direction was smart and stylish? Really? Because I thought the cast deserved so much better!! It seemed like the chorus would enter and exit the stage for each musical number like in a high school production with virtually no apparent impetus and minimal character engagement – the numbers were differentiated mostly by the scene appropriate costumes and props they would be carrying (be it umbrellas or lanterns) and not much else more. The poorly developed storyline was haphazardly inserted between the musical numbers so … what was smart and stylish? the almost non-existent sets? Help me out here because I left the theater wondering if anyone actually did direct this show – because it felt to me like they pretty much left it to the choreographer and the musical director.