Intense, Powerful, and Triumphant, Tina Delights with Engaged Audience at Bass Concert Hall in Austin, Texas
by Michele Schmidt
The smash hit TINA – The Tina Turner Musical made its Austin premiere and runs January 9 – 14, 2024, at Bass Concert Hall as part of the Texas Performing Arts Broadway season. TINA is written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Katori Hall, featuring many hit songs by Tina Turner, and directed by the internationally acclaimed Phyllida Lloyd.
TINA is presented in association with Turner herself as she was involved in the creative process. “It’s really important to me to have the chance to share my full story. This musical is not about my stardom. It is about the journey I took to get there. Each night I want audiences to take away from the theatre that you can turn poison into medicine.”
TINA begins with a young Anna-Mae Bullock (Tina), played by Symphony King in this performance, singing her heart out and embarrassing her mom wherever they go. There is conflict between her abusive father and fed-up mother, Zelma Bullock, played by Roz White. Zelma delivers biting remarks to Anna Mae that leave stains on her soul. Anna Mae is separated from her sister and abandoned by her parents. She goes to live with her Gran Georgeanna, played by Wydetta Carter, the only person who believes in her talents. Even with chaos all around her, King delivers a performance filled with childlike innocence and strength showcasing the greatness that is the essence of Tina Turner.
Next we see an almost adult Anna Mae, played in this performance by powerhouse Ari Groover, reunite with her sister and mother. This leads to her being discovered by Ike Turner, played by
Deon Releford-Lee, who delivers a chilling performance that is at times charming, other times scary, and full of desperation. Anna Mae transforms into Tina Turner, followed by years of
abuse from Ike. Tina becomes the shining star and Ike does everything he can to beat her down. Tina’s spirit is never broken though. Along the way, Tina meets people such as Raymond, played
by Gerard Williams, who help her see the best version of herself. Williams delivers an incredible performance of “Let’s Stay Together” that brings the audience to complete awe and applause.
Woven into and between the harsh realities of her story, Tina’s iconic music flows seamlessly throughout the musical. The Ikettes dazzle with fast choreography and incredible timing to classic hits “Proud Mary” and “River Deep – Mountain High.” Tina’s story unfolds with other iconic songs, “I Don’t Wanna Fight No More” and “What’s Love Got To Do With It.”
The costumes in the show match real life moments which are seared into the memory of her fans, such as Tina’s iconic denim jacket and black leather dress with high heels. The authenticity of Tina’s life represented on stage makes the experience intense and relatable. Groover recreates Tina’s recognizable voice and powerful
presence. The audience participates unknowingly at first, whether singing her songs, or clapping back when Tina stands up for herself. We watch Tina embody her strength as she searches for herself through her music. She eventually changes managers and moves away from soul music, embracing rock, high energy, and love.
The European record label sends Erwin Bach (her future husband) to pick up Tina at the airport, and they experience love at first sight. As we watch Tina come into herself, choosing her own music, and navigating her solo career, we see her finally break the cycle of abuse. The audience goes wild cheering her on.
The show begins and ends with an epic concert setting. We see massive stairs lit up for her entrance and a view of the stadium from backstage where she is about to perform for a record-breaking crowd of 180,000 in Brazil at the pinnacle of her solo career. At the beginning, she is ready to go up, then pauses to meditate and chant. (Turner said Buddhism saved her life so it was nice to see that incorporated in the show). At the end, we witness her find love not only with Bach who she lives her life out with, but with herself. And when you think the show is over, you are in for the surprise of your life! The audience is invited to stand up, sing along, and rock out with the cast and musicians. After the bows, Groover transforms back into Tina to perform a concert for 2 more songs! People dance, sing, smile, and cry at the same time.
The show is such an inspiring journey of a woman who broke barriers and became the Queen of Rock n’ Roll. TinaTurner passed away last year, but her spirit lives on. To say this show is ‘Simply The Best’ might be an understatement!
Local musicians Scott Clark (Guitar 2), Jake Lampe (Reed 1), Joey Colarusso from Asleep at the Wheel (Reed 2), Eric Johnson (Trumpet Flugelhorn), Javier Stuppard (Trombone), Chuck Fischer
(Percussion), and Michael Mordecai (Contractor) can be seen in the orchestra.
Notes: There is one 15 minutes intermission with a run time of 2 hours and 40 minutes. Ticket prices start at $35 and the show runs through Sunday, January 14, 2024. Tickets can be purchased at texasperformingarts.org, broadwayinaustin.com, by phone at (512) 477 – 1444 or from the Texas Performing Arts ticket office at Bass Concert Hall.
Check out our interview with cast member Deon Releford-Lee on Austin 101 Magazine.
Songs:
ACT I
Etherland – Sound of Mystic Law
Nutbush City Limits
Don’t Turn Around
Shake a Tailfeather
Rocket 88/Matchbox
She Made My Blood Run Cold
It’s Gonna Work Out Fine
A Fool In Love
Let’s Stay Together
Better Be Good To Me
I Want To Take You Higher
River Deep – Mountain High
Be Tender With Me Baby
Proud Mary
I Don’t Wanna Fight No More
ACT II
Private Dancer
Disco Inferno
Open Arms
I Can’t Stand The Rain
Tonight
What’s Love Got To Do With It
Don’t Turn Around (reprise)
We Don’t Need Another Hero
(Simply) The Best
