AussieTheatre.com Exclusive: Behind the Scenes at TINA – The Tina Turner Musical Media Call in Melbourne
As the final leg of TINA – The Tina Turner Musical’s triumphant Australian tour arrives in Melbourne, AussieTheatre.com was on-site at the Princess Theatre with Cameron Grant of Parenthesy for a sneak peek at the dazzling production. The full cast performed three electrifying numbers at the media call on Tuesday, ahead of the highly anticipated red carpet premiere on Thursday.
Melbourne is gearing up for an unforgettable opening night of the globally acclaimed musical, which has already sold more than 600,000 tickets nationwide since its debut in Sydney. With new tickets being released due to overwhelming demand, TINA – The Tina Turner Musical promises to continue its streak of sold-out performances as it captivates audiences at the Princess Theatre until January 2025. The production’s media call gave journalists and photographers an up-close look at the energy and brilliance that TINA – The Tina Turner Musical is known for. In full costume, the cast belted out four powerhouse songs, showcasing the vocal prowess and dynamic choreography that have won them rave reviews across Australia.
At the forefront of the performance was Ruva Ngwenya, who has been dazzling audiences as the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Tina Turner. Giovanni Adams, who plays Ike Turner, also took centre stage, delivering a commanding performance. The chemistry between the two leads was palpable, setting the tone for the high-energy musical that Melbourne audiences will soon experience.
Ngwenya, whose impressive stage credits include The Lion King, We Will Rock You, and Moulin Rouge The Musical, has won multiple awards for her portrayal of Turner, including Best Performance in a Leading Role at the Sydney Theatre Awards. Adams, making his Australian stage debut, is a NAACP Award-winning actor and playwright who brings a powerful presence to the role of Ike Turner.
Produced by Paul Dainty AO/TEG DAINTY in collaboration with Stage Entertainment and the late Tina Turner herself, TINA – The Tina Turner Musical chronicles the incredible life and career of Turner, whose resilience and talent broke barriers in the music industry. The musical has been a global sensation, receiving 37 award nominations, including Tony Awards and Olivier Awards for Best Musical. Featuring Turner’s greatest hits, including “Simply the Best,” “What’s Love Got to Do With It,” and “Proud Mary,” the production is a must-see for fans of the iconic performer.
In addition to Ruva Ngwenya and Giovanni Adams, the principal cast includes Jochebel Ohene MacCarthy as the alternate Tina Turner, Ibinabo Jack as Tina’s mother Zelma Bullock, and Deni Gordon as Gran Georgeanna. The role of Tina’s manager Roger Davies is played by Mat Verevis, while Augie Tchantcho portrays Richard Bullock, and Matthew Prime takes on the role of Erwin Bach.
The creative team behind the musical includes Tony Award-nominated director Phyllida Lloyd, choreographer Anthony van Laast, set and costume designer Mark Thompson, and sound designer Nevin Steinberg. With its world-class production values and a story that touches on Turner’s triumphs and tribulations, the show delivers an unforgettable experience.Don’t miss the chance to see TINA – The Tina Turner Musical during its Melbourne season. The final performances are set to bring the house down as the production celebrates Turner’s incredible legacy.
The Melbourne run of the show marks the end of the Australian tour, which has broken box office records and sold more than 600,000 tickets across Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth.
New tickets for the Melbourne season will go on sale from Friday, 4th October, due to huge demand, so be sure to visit www.tinathemusical.com.au to secure your seat.
