Tina - The Tina Turner Musical

CL Critic Matthew Warhol Recommends The Queen Of Rock n’ Roll has lived an extraordinary life full of peaks and valleys, love and violence, tragedy and triumph. Whether you’ve learned about Mrs. Turner’s life from movies, books, or her own music, you’ve probably not seen it played out like this, poured out raw in an in-person performance by broadway-quality actors. Written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Katori Hall, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical tells the story of Anna Mae Bullock, born in Brownsville, Tennessee, who goes from small town choir girl to world-renowned megastar. The musical features her landmark songs from her huge catalog. — MW

CL Critic Kevin C. Madigan Recommends: When she was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in 2021, Tina Turner became one of only three women to receive the honor more than once. The fact attests to a remarkable career going back six decades that now includes a musical tribute in her name, which she personally endorses. “It has been years since I toured the US and I am very excited that my own musical can now bring my music and story to my fans in their home cities across America,” Turner says. “It’s a homecoming and that is very special to me.” 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 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. It was written by Tony Award nominee and Pulitzer Prize winner Katori Hall with Frank Ketelaar and Kees Prins. “The Tina Turner Musical is the inspiring journey of a woman who broke barriers and became the Queen of Rock n’ Roll,” the press release says unabashedly. “One of the world’s best-selling artists, 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.” The Hollywood Reporter deems the show “irresistibly uplifting.” — KCM