Melbourne get ready, TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL is set to officially open at the Princess Theatre tonight!
Melbourne marks the final season for the sensational TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL, which began its record-breaking national tour in Sydney in May 2023. Since then, it has captivated packed audiences and garnered rave reviews in Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth, selling over 600,000 tickets nationwide to date.
Produced by Paul Dainty AO/TEG DAINTY in special collaboration with Stage Entertainment, Tali Pelman and the late Tina Turner, the musical reveals a comeback story like no other, of a woman who dared to defy the bounds of her age, gender and race 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.
Since its highly anticipated Australian premiere in May 2023 at Theatre Royal Sydney, TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL has captured the hearts of audiences with its powerful storytelling, incredible performances, and iconic music.
Featuring 23 hit songs including, Simply The Best, What’s Love Got To Do With It, Nutbush City Limits and Proud Mary, this smash hit musical has received 37 prestigious award nominations including BEST MUSICAL (Tony Awards) and BEST NEW MUSICAL (Olivier Awards).
In Australia, the coveted role of Tina Turner is played by Ruva Ngwenya. The role of Ike Turner is played by NAACP Award-Winning actor and playwright Giovanni Adams.
The cast also includes principals Jochebel Ohene MacCarthy as Tina Turner alternate, Ibinabo Jack playing Tina’s mother Zelma Bullock, Deni Gordon as Tina’s Grandmother Gran Georgeanna (GG) and Nadia Komazec as Ike and Tina’s manager Rhonda Graam.
Jayme-Lee Hanekom plays Tina’s sister Alline Bullock and one of the Ikettes, Augie Tchantcho plays Tina’s father Richard Bullock, Rishab Kern as Tina’s first love Raymond Hill, Matthew Prime as record company Marketing Manager Erwin Bach, Mat Verevis as Tina’s Manager Roger Davies, Matthew Hamilton as Record Producer Phil Spector and Lyricist Terry Britten and Blake Erickson as musician Martyn Ware and Carpenter.
Ensemble members include Mia Dabkowski-Chandler, Nicholas Eaton, Abu Kebe as Ronnie, Jenni Little as Toni, Loredo Malcolm, David Mairs-McKenzie as Craig, Emily Nkomo as an Ikette, Gus Noakes, Kristin Paulse, Ilana Richardson, Tendai Rinomhota, Noel Samuels, Rebecca Selley as an Ikette and Tigist Strode as an Ikette.
Written by Tony Award nominee and Pulitzer Prize winner Katori Hall with Frank Ketelaar and Kees Prins, TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL is directed by Tony Award nominee Phyllida Lloyd with choreography by Tony Award nominee Anthony van Laast,
Set and costume designs by Tony Award nominee Mark Thompson, musical supervision, additional music and arrangements by Nicholas Skilbeck, lighting by Tony Award nominee Bruno Poet, sound by Tony Award nominee Nevin Steinberg, projection design by Tony Award nominee Jeff Sugg, orchestrations by Tony Award nominee Ethan Popp and wigs, hair and makeup design by Drama Desk Award winner Campbell Young Associates.
One of the world’s best-selling artists of all time, Tina Turner won 12 Grammy Awards and her live shows were seen by millions, with more concert tickets sold than any other solo performer in music history.
When she was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in October, 2021, Tina Turner became one of only three women in the institution’s history to be inducted twice (she was initially inducted in 1991, alongside Ike Turner).
Due to huge demand a new release of tickets will go on sale on Friday 4 October 2024.
TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL
Princess Theatre, Spring Street, Melbourne
Information and Bookings: www.tinathemusical.com.au
Image: Ruva Ngwenya as Tina Turner and band – photo by Daniel Boud