"TINA - The Tina Turner Musical" - Hanover Theatre (Worcester, MA.) - REVIEW
(Cover Photo: The CAST of "TINA - THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL" now playing at the Hanover Theatre in Worcester, MA. until October 20, 2024. Photo Courtesy Hanover Theatre)
By Kevin T. Baldwin
METRMAG Reviewer
# 774-242-6724
“Physical strength in a woman - that's what I am."
- Tina Turner
The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts
Presents the Broadway Smash
"TINA - THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL!"
Book by Katori Hall, Frank Ketelaar and Kees Prins
Music by Various Artists
Based on the Songs by Tina Turner
Director Phyllida Lloyd
Choreographer Anthony Van Laast
Cast Includes: Jayna Elise as “Tina Turner,” Mona Swain as “Tina Turner” (At Certain Performances), Sterling Baker-McClary as “Ike Turner, Ronnie Turner,” Elaina Walton as “Zelma Bullock,” Deidre Lang as “Gran Georgeanna,” Bear Manescalchi as “Phil Spector,” Maurice Alpharicio as “Raymond Earl King, Craig Turner,” Mya Bryant, Charis Michelle Gullage, Daniyah Jezel, Morgan Lewis as “Ikettes,” Joe Hornberger as “Roger Davies,” Darius J. Manuel as “Richard Bullock,” Steven Sawan as “Erwin Bach,” Hunter Torr as “John Carpenter,” Taylor Brice, Natalia Nappo as “Young Anna-Mae Bullock, Young Craig Turner, Young Alline,” Mya Bryant as “Alline,” Kristen Daniels as “Rhonda Graam, Toni Basil.” Ensemble: Maurice Alpharicio, Catrina Brenae, Mya Bryant, Charis Michelle Gullage, Joe Hornberger, Daniyah Jezel, Morgan Lewis, Ashley D. Lyles, Bear Manescalchi, Darius J. Manuel, Pharaoh Mouton, Steven Sawan, Hunter Torr. Understudies: For Tina - Charis Michelle Gullage, Ashley D. Lyles; For Ike - Jeffrey May Hyche, Pharaoh Mouton; For Zelma - Catrina Brenae, Audrey Taylor Floyd; For Gran Georgeanna - Catrina Brenae; For Raymond - Jeffrey May Hyche, Ephraim Takyi; For Richard - Jeffrey May Hyche, Ephraim Takyi; For Young Alline - Callie Holley, Morgan Lewis; For Rhonda - Morgan Lewis. Swings: Audrey Taylor Floyd, Chelsea Nicole Green, Callie Holley, Jeffrey May Hyche, Albert Sterner, Ephraim Takyi, Paul Watt-Morse.
Additional Creative Team:
Dance Captain - Chelsea Nicole Green; Assistant Dance Captain - Audrey Taylor Floyd; Fight Captain - Albert Sterner; Scenic & Costume Design - Mark Thompson; Lighting Design - Bruno Poet; Sound Design - Nevin Steinberg; Projection Design - Jeff Sugg; Wig, Hair & Makeup Design – Campbell Young Associates; Casting - Murnane Casting, Amber Snead, CSA Chad Eric Murnane, CSA; Fight Direction - Sordelet Inc.; Music Director - Sam Groisser; Resident Director - Alyssa V. Gomez; Production Stage Manager - Jasmin Holton; Company Manager - James A. Woodard; Tour Management - Crossroads Live N.A.; Production Manager - Heather Chockley; General Manager – Deana Marie Kirsch; Executive Producer – Jayna Neagle; Orchestrations - Ethan Popp; Music Coordinator - Talitha Fehr; Music Supervisor - Alvin Hough, Jr.; Arrangements And Additional Music - Nicholas Skilbeck; Associate Director - Sharika Niles; Associate Choreographer - Janet Rothermel.
Performances:
October 18, 2024 through October 20, 2024
(Contact Box Office for Exact Times)
Presented at the Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester.
TICKETS:
For More Information: 877-571-SHOW (7469) info@thehanovertheatre.org
BUY TICKETS
COVID 19 PROTOCOLS
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(Editor’s Note – While the tour stars Jayna Elise as "TINA TURNER," at the October 18th performance the role was played by Mona Swain.)
The Hanover Theatre in Worcester explodes with excitement as their 2024-2025 Broadway Series kicks off with "TINA - THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL."
Yes - "TINA - THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL" IS a jukebox musical featuring the music of TINA TURNER.
But don’t let those words “jukebox musical” discourage you from seeing this because this show is absolute dynamite from the moment it begins.
"TINA - THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL" is not intended to be some awe-inspiring impersonation of the public image of TURNER.
Instead, it depicts the life of TURNER as a little girl growing up in Nutbush, Tennessee.
In "TINA - THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL" we follow her meteoric rise to become one of popular music’s greatest legends and an inspiration to many female artists who would follow in her footsteps.
TINA (as played at the October 18th performance by Mona Swain, transforms right before our eyes, turning into the rock 'n roll superstar she ultimately became.
However, it was not without struggle – some of it uncomfortable to watch even in this diluted musical form – and it certainly came with its share of heartbreaks.
Swain is absolutely electrifying in the role of TINA TURNER.
As directed by Phyllida Lloyd, "TINA" features a book by Katori Hall, Frank Ketelaar and Kees Prins and focuses on the joys and struggles of the undisputed “Queen of Rock and Roll."
TINA TURNER is regarded by many as one of the greatest singers of all time and her seemingly endless accolades include:
- ~A Guinness World Record for the largest paying audience (180,000 in 1988) for a solo performer.
- ~In the U.K., TURNER was the first artist to have a Top 40 hit in seven consecutive decades.
- ~TURNER sold over 100-150 million records worldwide.
- ~TURNER won a total of 12 Grammy Awards, her songs "River Deep – Mountain High," "Proud Mary" and "What's Love Got to Do with It" are all in the Grammy Hall of Fame and she received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018.
- ~During her lifetime, TINA TURNER was TWICE inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and received the prestigious Kennedy Center Honor.
- ~After her death in 2023, TINA TURNER's 1986-awarded star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame was covered with flowers and tributes from her many fans.
Yet, among these accolades, TURNER was also a "survivor" who overcame years of domestic abuse.
TINA TURNER truly was “Simply the Best” - and this musical honors her legacy.
"TINA - THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL" debuted in London in 2018 then made its successful transition to Broadway in 2019.
Like many other shows on Broadway and around the globe, "TINA" was forced to shut down in March 2020 due to COVID-19 Pandemic.
The musical resumed performances in 2021 where it would run until 2022 completing 27 previews and 482 regular performances.
"TINA - THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL" was nominated for 12 Tony Awards, winning Best Leading Actress in a Musical for Adrienne Warren and her performance as "TINA" (for which she would also receive a Drama Desk Award).
(Photo: Deidre Lang as "Gran Georgeanna" with Jayna Elise as "Tina" in a scene from "TINA - THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL" now playing at the Hanover Theatre in Worcester, MA. until October 20, 2024. Photo Courtesy Hanover Theatre)
The musical opens with TINA preparing to go on stage, as she recites a Buddhist chant “nam myoho renge kyo” then flashes back to 1950s Nutbush Tennessee.
Here we meet a young Anna Mae Bullock (Natalia Nappo) who sings exuberantly at a community church gathering in the song "Nutbush City Limits."
Nappo is a both a surprise and a joy playing the young TINA TURNER with a booming voice that is quite powerful.
The only person to show young Anna Mae the love and support she deserves is her elderly grandmother, Gran Georgeanna (Deidre Lang).
Elaina Walton gives an unrelenting portrayal of Anna Mae’s mother, Zelma, who shows no love toward her younger daughter – nor towards many with the two notable exceptions being eldest daughter Alline (Mya Bryant) and her future son-in-law, Ike Turner (Sterling Baker-McClary).
The collective performances by the above actors keeps us riveted, feeling for the troubled young Anna Mae as she soon emerges into the superstar TINA TURNER.
Alline gives Anna Mae a makeover in the song "Shake a Tail Feather" where, taking her to a nightclub, Anna Mae meets future hubby Ike.
(Photo: Darius J. Manuel, Taylor Brice, Deidre Lang and the CAST of "TINA - THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL" now playing at the Hanover Theatre in Worcester, MA. until October 20, 2024. Photo Courtesy Hanover Theatre)
Ike takes Anna Mae under his wing and changes her name to "TINA TURNER" where they perform together as the "Ike and TINA TURNER Revue."
A secret relationship between TINA and Raymond (Maurice Alpharicio), the band's saxophonist, leaves TINA pregnant just as she agrees to marry the abusive Ike.
Alpharicio coveys Raymond’s affection toward TINA in a marvelous rendition of "Let's Stay Together.”
Rhonda (Kristen Daniels in a finely tuned compassionate performance) comes on board as Ike and TINA's new band manager, and soon becomes a lifelong ally of TINA.
TINA eventually gives birth to two sons, all while performing to a grueling work schedule and watching helpless as Ike spirals out of control with infidelities and hostilities.
Rhonda urges TINA to leave Ike, but TINA refuses because of the boys.
When Ike and TINA meet with famed music mogul Phil Spector (Bear Manescalchi), it is Spector who propels TINA to a superstardom level by putting her vocals to his “Wall of Sound” infused "River Deep Mountain High."
The above is great for TINA but is also the last straw for Ike, leading their relationship to a well-publicized and destructive ending.
(Photo: Kristen Daniels as "Rhonda Graam" and Jayna Elise as “Tina” in "TINA - THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL" now playing at the Hanover Theatre in Worcester, MA. until October 20, 2024. Photo Courtesy Hanover Theatre)
While many are familiar with TINA TURNER's iconic performance of "Proud Mary" what we learn is how TINA overdosed just prior to the appearance, making the song both a musical high point but also hard to watch for its more tragic implication.
During the show’s second act, it is nearly two decades later, and we meet those industry professionals who will re-launch TINA not as an R&B singer but as the “Queen of Rock and Roll.”
Those folks include Roger Davies (Joe Hornberger), a young Australian music producer and Erwin Bach (Steven Sawan) who encourages TINA to listen to the proposed single from Roger that would ultimately put her back on the charts – “What’s Love Got to Do With It.”
In fact, as far as the musical’s structure, instead of taking a traditional linear approach, it might have proved far more interesting to have begun the show at this point and tell TINA's backstory in flashbacks, since the characters TINA TURNER encounters in the 80s are far more interesting and less negative stereotypes than those we encounter in the 60s.
(Photo: Jayna Elise stars in "TINA - THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL" now playing at the Hanover Theatre in Worcester, MA. until October 20, 2024. Photo Courtesy Hanover Theatre)
Many of the show’s best choreographed numbers include "Private Dancer," “Better Be Good to Me,” “Nutbush City Limits,” “Shake a Tail Feather” and “I Can’t Stand the Rain.”
Even the odd choice of “Disco Inferno” - which only seems to be in the show to showcase how "square" TINA's Las Vegas act was – features some enjoyable dance moves, silly as they are intended to look.
Other TINA TURNER song classics audiences can look forward to include "We Don't Need Another Hero (Thunderdome)" “I Don’t Wanna Fight No More” and "(Simply) The Best."
"TINA - THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL" continues at the Hanover Theatre in Worcester until October 20th and is a fabulous way to kick off the 2024-2025 Broadway Series.
Coming up next for the Hanover Broadway Series is the Temptations' musical “AIN’T TOO PROUD” beginning November 8th, 2024.
For More Information contact # 877-571-SHOW (7469) or email info@thehanovertheatre.org
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Approximately two hours, 40 minutes with one intermission.
Kevin T. Baldwin is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA)
@MetrmagReviews
@Theatre_Critics
ABOUT THE SHOW
An uplifting comeback story like no other, "TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL" is the inspiring journey of a woman who broke barriers and became the Queen of Rock n’ Roll.
Based on the life and music of TINA TURNER, "TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL" follows young Anna Mae Bullock as she transforms from her small-town beginnings in Nutbush, Tennessee, to international stardom as TINA TURNER, the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll.
"TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL" is the ultimate comeback story of a woman who overcame racism, sexism, ageism, and more to become the oldest female solo artist to top the Hot 100 at the age of 44.
A thrilling show featuring all of the classic TINA TURNER hits such as “Proud Mary,” “River Deep, Mountain High,” “What’s Love Got to Do With It?” and many more.
"TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL" will have you dancing and singing in your seat as the story of a woman who dared to defy all odds unfolds. (STAGEAGENT)
For More Information: 877-571-SHOW (7469) info@thehanovertheatre.org
BUY TICKETS
ABOUT HANOVER THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
Worcester Center for Performing Arts is a registered not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, which owns and operates The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
HANOVER THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
2 Southbridge Street
Worcester, MA. 01608
877-571-SHOW (7469)
