The lights to the steps blaze bright as we see the iconic blonde hair of a woman sitting and chanting. And before we can get excited a young Anna-Mae (Ayvah Johnson) emerges and we see the early beginnings of Tina Turner.
Tina, The Tina Turner Musical opened in Philadelphia at the Academy of Music on Tuesday, November 22, 2022 to a full house. The cast, the music, the outfits, the lights, the band- Simply the Best!
One of the world’s best-selling artists of all time, Tina 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. Tina Turner is a 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominee. She was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1991 as a duo alongside Ike Turner but has never been inducted in recognition of her solo work.
The musical is a retelling of her inspiring journey from broken barriers to the Queen she is today. It is a reminder that we can defy the bounds of racism, sexism, and ageism. I was intrigued to see how they would handle the violent scenes that we have seen play out in other stories of her life. It was tasteful and did not overly dwell on it, which makes this an excellent performance for younger audiences (13+).
Who plays Tina in TINA The Musical 2022?
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.
Photo by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade
The ensemble includes Daelyanna Kelly Benson, Antonio Beverly, Taylor A. Blackman, Aliyah
Caldwell, Lillian Charles, Max Falls, Zachary Freier-Harrison, Reyna Guerra, Gordia Hayes,
Andre Hinds, Takia Hopson, Ayvah Johnson, Geoffrey Kidwell, Parris Mone’t Lewis, Nia Nelson-
Williams, Gracie Phillips, Nicole Powell, Terance Reddick, Shari Washington Rhone, Jacob
Roberts-Miller, Aniya Simone, Chris Stevens, Jeff Sullivan, and Carlton Terrence Taylor.
Photo by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade
Everyone was on their feet to welcome Chris Stevens home, the Elkins Park native played John Carpenter/Ensemble and no one could deny the powerful voice and cuteness of Ayvah Johnson, young Anna Mae.
Photo by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade
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, wigs, hair and makeup design by Drama Desk Award winner
Campbell Young Associates, and casting by The Telsey Office.
Tina Turner Musical Tickets
Tickets can be purchased by calling 215-893-1999 or online at www.kimmelculturalcampus.org.
In-person ticket sales can be conducted daily from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. at the Academy of Music
Box Office, located at 240 S. Broad Street.
Tina – The Tina Turner Musical
Kimmel Cultural Campus’ Academy of Music
Part of the Kimmel Cultural Campus’ and The Shubert Organization’s Broadway series
November 22 – December 4, 2022
