Tina, the Musical, packs so much energy, you’ll be exhausted just watching it. And it’s not all upbeat and bouncy. The show takes us through Tina’s life and times. Nothing is left to the imagination, and at times, you will feel the heartache and heartbreak that Tina Turner endured. From the time the curtain rises, we get a sense that there’s a lot to Tina….and from her early life as Anna Mae Bullock, to her brilliant rise to stardom as a single act, we get to cheer her on.
The perseverance, the passion and the push forward that she models is a good lesson for everyone. For most of us. we know the story…we saw the incredible movie that opened the door on Tina’s struggles and successes. But, as is always the. case, the stage brings an intimacy. You are there. At no other time in the musical is that more apparent then the scene right before intermission. ‘I Don’t Wanna Fight’ plays as Tina sees her way out. So Satisfying.
The musical features all the songs you know and love from Tina’s anthology and Ike’s as well. Most of the songs fit perfectly with the story’s progression (although ‘We Don’t Need Another Hero’ pops in at a strange time.)
It’s really in the final moments of the actual show that you feel the audience sit-up as if to say, ‘There’s Tina!’ Do yourself a favor and hang in there after that curtain falls…you’ll thank me. You will be on your feet!
The cast is superb. Big, bellowing voices, high kicking dancers and acting that is more than run of the mill convincing. You feel it.
There are some magic moments, like ‘Let’s Stay Together’ and how it was fits in the script, and I really loved ‘River Deep, Mountain High,’ because it was pure, and poppy! OH, and of. course ‘Proud Mary!’ need I say anything about that quintessential favorite.
Faced with an unloving mother, a pompous husband and a world that wasn’t exactly ready for the star that was Tina Turner, the show is so incredibly redeeming, and, for the record, Tina will remain an inspiration to us all!
For More Information….log-on to: https://www.daytonlive.org/venues/schuster-center/