TINA – The Tina Turner Musical had it’s first performance in April 2018 in London. It first opened on Broadway in November 2019. What’s Love Got to Do with It, the Tina Turner biopic, was released in 1993, starring Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne. Now it opens at the Nederlander Theatre in Chicago in March of 2023.
The musical starts with Tina’s humble beginnings in Nutbush, Tennessee. It then moves to her career in Ike Turner’s band. At last, it moves on to her solo career.
The first half of the show is intensely dark. It’s hard to watch as she is abandoned by her mother, abused by Ike Turner, and deals with racism in the south. The second half is much brighter as enters the solo phase of her career.
The most heartbreaking scene is when Tina sings “What’s Love Got to Do with It” to the band member that she has been seeing after she accepts an engagement to Ike. “Who needs a heart when a heart can be broken?” It’s such a powerful moment.
One of the highlights is the choreography by Anthony van Laast, which is both exciting and mesmerizing. The dance numbers are perfectly synchronized and complement the music perfectly, creating an immersive experience that will leave you wanting more.
“The Best” is the grand finale. “You’re simply the best / Better than all the rest / Better than anyone / Anyone I’ve ever met”. It’s a great song of triumph for Tina as she finally has found a great partner in Erwin.
After the curtain call, Zurin Villanueva returns as Tina to sing “Proud Mary” for an encore. On alternate nights, Ari Groover stars as Tina. This is necessary as the vocals required in this show that no one person could do eight shows per week. “Big wheel keep on turning / Proud Mary keep on burning / Rolling, rolling, rolling on the river”. It is a fantastically joyous way to end the night.
Cost of a ticket: $145 (Orchestra)
PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Worth It –
Rating Scale: Exceptional Value > Worth It > Half Price > Go for Free > Don’t Bother
Get tickets now for TINA – The Tina Turner Musical through April 2nd!
Quinn Delaney
PlaylistHQ 