REVIEW: TINA- THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL at the James M. Nederlander Theatre Through April 2, 2023

ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar

TINA- THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL

Produced in association with Tina Turner

Written by Tony Award nominee, Pulitzer Prize and Olivier Award-winner Katori Hall

REVIEW:

By Bonnie Kenaz-Mara

"This is literally the best show I've ever seen." My friend, Teresa exclaimed as the audience rose en masse, for a rousing standing ovation, at the press opening for TINA- THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL at Chicago's James M. Nederlander Theatre. 

Bonnie Kenaz-Mara, and sisters Catherine and Teresa Hellmann, at the press opening of  TINA- THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL at Chicago's James M. Nederlander Theatre

The energy was palpable and the kudos well deserved. It's no easy feat playing a living legend, particularly one with powerhouse vocals and such a striking presence. Tina Turner's real life story is at once as tragic and triumphant as any Shakespearian masterpiece and Zurin Villanueva and Ari Groover share the role to bring this tale to life in style. We caught Villanueva on opening night and she was stunningly talented in this challenging role.

Zurin Villanueva as ‘Tina Turner’ and the cast of the North American touring production of TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL. 

All Production Photos by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade

Ike Turner (Garrett Turner) is also exceptionally well played as the villain we loved to hate. Though his audacious abuse is hard to watch and may be triggering for some, it's a story that can't be glossed over, and a cautionary tale of toxic masculinity that's still all too common an occurrence. 

Garrett Turner as 'Ike Turner' and Roz White as 'Zelma'

In the early years and again at curtain call, accompanying her older self, Young Anna-Mae (Ayvah Johnson) stole the show with her incredible voice and a confidence far beyond her years. Roz White as Zelma Bullock, Lael Van Keuren as Rhonda, and particularly Ann Nesby as Gran Georgeanna are standouts as well. 

Ayvah Johnson as 'Young Anna-Mae' and the cast of the North American touring production of 

TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL

Zurin Villanueva as ‘Tina Turner’ and Ann Nesby as 'Gran Georgeanna' 

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.

It's a joy to see a rags to riches story this empowering, where Anna-Mae/Tina, a child abandoned by both parents, a young woman physically and psychologically abused by her husband, and a single, middle aged mom struggling to make a comeback in a racist, sexist, agest industry, not only survives but thrives. Don't miss this! ★★★★ Four out of four stars.

Bonnie is a Chicago based writer, theatre critic, photographer, artist, and Mama to 2 amazing adults. She owns two websites where she publishes frequently: ChiILLiveShows.com (adult) & ChiILMama.com (family friendly). 

Photo Credit: B. Kenaz-Mara

"Writer Katori Hall has created A MUSICAL THEATER MASTERPIECE.” 

– Amsterdam News

TINA - THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL, the electrifying production produced in association with Tina Turner and written by Katori Hall is now playing a limited engagement at the James M. Nederlander Theatre through April 2, 2023. Tickets are on sale at www.BroadwayInChicago.com. Additional ticket information and the performance schedule are below. 

The cast is led by Zurin Villanueva (The Lion King, Mean Girls, Shuffle Along, The Book of Mormon) and Ari Groover (TINA Broadway, Head Over Heels, Holler If Ya Hear Me) who will evenly share the role of Tina Turner, each playing four (of eight) performances a week. Groover will play the full run in Chicago, stepping in for Naomi Rodgers who is on a temporary leave from the show. Also starring are Garrett Turner as Ike Turner, Roz White as Zelma Bullock, Ann Nesby as Gran Georgeanna and Lael Van Keuren as Rhonda. 

Ann Nesby as 'Gran Georgeanna' 

All Production Photos by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade 

“MIND BLOWING AND LIFE CHANGING.

A story that needs to be shared, especially today.” 

– ABC News

The ensemble includes Daelyanna Kelly Benson, Antonio Beverly, Taylor A. Blackman, Karen Burthwright, 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. 

“It has been years since I toured the US and I am very excited that my own musical can now bring my music and story to my fans in their home cities across America. It’s a homecoming and that is very special to me,” said Tina Turner.

“We are delighted to begin this next chapter for TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL. The North American tour will see the show enjoy its sixth production around the world since opening in the West End in 2018, which is testimony to Tina’s extraordinary legacy. This tour clearly has special resonance for Tina herself, and now more than ever we can’t wait to uplift audiences across America with her joyful and triumphant story," the producers, Tali Pelman from Stage Entertainment and Jimmy Nederlander said. “We can’t wait to introduce America to the two megawatt superstars—Ari Groover and Zurin Villanueva — who will share the role of Tina, Garrett Turner in the role of Ike, and the incredibly talented company who are hitting the road on tour!"

Garrett Turner as 'Ike Turner'

“PREPARE TO BE ECSTATICALLY BLOWN AWAY!” 

– The Daily Beast

Produced by Stage Entertainment, James L. Nederlander and Tali Pelman, in association with Tina Turner, TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL was written by Tony Award nominee and Pulitzer Prize winner Katori Hall with Frank Ketelaar and Kees Prins.

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 Music Supervision, Arrangements & Incidental Music 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.  

“I’VE RARELY HEARD AN AUDIENCE WITH THIS MIGHTY A ROAR.” 

– NY Times

Zurin Villanueva performing _Higher_ as ‘Tina Turner’ and the cast of the North American touring production of TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL.

ABOUT TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL 

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.  

Zurin Villanueva as ‘Tina Turner’ and the cast of the North American touring production of 

TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL.

This new musical, based on the life of legendary artist Tina Turner and presented in association with Tina Turner herself, received its world premiere in April 2018 in London, where it opened to five-star reviews and has broken box office records at the Aldwych Theatre. In March 2019, the German production opened at Stage Operettenhaus in Hamburg, and the Dutch production opened at the Beatrix Theater, Utrecht, in February 2020. A third European production opened in the Fall of 2021 at the Teatro Coliseum in Madrid, Spain.

TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL originally opened on Broadway on November 7, 2019, and was nominated for 12 Tony Awards including Best Musical. The production reopened at Broadway’s Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on October 8, 2021, following the 18-month industry-wide shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Broadway production ended performances Sunday, August 14.

Produced by Stage Entertainment and Ghostlight Records and featuring the original London cast, Tina – The Tina Turner Musical: Original Cast Recording is available worldwide on CD, both online and in stores. The CD features a 20-page booklet, which includes liner notes, synopsis, and production and studio photography. The album was recorded in February 2019 at Angel Studios and RAK Studios, produced by the show’s Music Supervisor Nicholas Skilbeck and Kurt Deutsch and co-produced by Tom Kelly. To download or stream the album or order the CD, please visit http://www.ghostlightrecords.lnk.to/riverdeep-tinaturnermusical.

When she was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in October 2021, Tina Turner became one of only three women in the institution’s history to be inducted twice (she was initially inducted in 1991 alongside Ike Turner).

Garrett Turner as 'Ike Turner'

Zurin Villanueva performing as ‘Tina Turner’ and Garrett Turner as 'Ike Turner'

The Emmy-nominated feature documentary TINA is now available to stream on HBO Max. A revealing and intimate look at the life and career of musical icon Tina Turner, TINA charts her improbable rise to early fame, her personal and professional struggles throughout her life, and her even more improbable resurgence as a global phenomenon in the 1980s. The feature documentary is from Academy Award-winning directors Dan Lindsay, T.J. Martin, and Lightbox, the production company founded by Academy Award-winning producer Simon Chinn and Emmy-winning producer Jonathan Chinn, together with Emmy-nominated producer Diane Becker.

TICKET INFORMATION

Ticket prices range from $52.50 -$152.50 with a select number of premium tickets available. Individual tickets are available by visiting www.BroadwayInChicago.com, or going to any Broadway In Chicago venue box office. Tickets are available for groups of 10 or more by calling Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at (312) 977-1710 or emailing GroupSales@BroadwayInChicago.com.

Follow @TinaBroadway on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

ABOUT BROADWAY IN CHICAGO

Broadway In Chicago was created in July 2000 and over the past 22 years has grown to be one of the largest commercial touring homes in the country. A Nederlander Presentation, Broadway In Chicago lights up the Chicago Theater District, entertaining up to 1.7 million people annually in five theatres. Broadway In Chicago presents a full range of entertainment, including musicals and plays, on the stages of five of the finest theatres in Chicago’s Loop, including the Cadillac Palace Theatre, CIBC Theatre, James M. Nederlander Theatre, and just off the Magnificent Mile, the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place and presenting Broadway shows at the Auditorium Theatre.

For more information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

Follow @broadwayinchicago on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok

@broadwaychicago on Twitter

#broadwayinchicago

 

Zurin Villanueva as ‘Tina Turner’ in the North American touring production of TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL.

REVIEW: RENT Via Porchlight Music Theatre Now Extended Through December 11, 2022

ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar

PORCHLIGHT MUSIC THEATRE PRESENTS THE INTERNATIONAL SENSATION 

RENT 

NOW PLAYING THROUGH DECEMBER 11th 

AT THE RUTH PAGE CENTER FOR THE ARTS

The Multiple Award-Winning Musical is Directed by Adrian Abel Azevedo+, Music Directed by Michael McBride+ and 

Choreographed by Laura Savage*

Running time, including the 15-minute intermission, is 2 hours 45 minutes. 

Porchlight Music Theatre has another smash hit on their hands! RENT's due... for a revival, that is, and in Porchlight MT's capable hands, hearts and voices, it shines! Here at ChiIL Live Shows, we love this timeless yet timely piece about love and loss at the peak of the AIDS epidemic, and the still all too relatable struggle to survive and thrive as an artist in America. Don't miss this! Highly recommended. ★★★★ Four out of four stars. 

Bonnie is a Chicago based writer, theatre critic, photographer, videographer, actress, artist and Mama. She owns two websites where she publishes frequently: ChiILLiveShows.com (adult) & ChiILMama.com (family friendly). 

Porchlight Music Theatre presents the Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical, RENT, music, lyrics and book by Jonathan Larson, at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St., now playing through Sunday, Nov. 27. Porchlight’s production is directed by Adrian Abel Azevedo+, music directed by Dr. Michael McBride+ and choreographed by Laura Savage*. 

The performance schedule is Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 3:30 and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. with weekday matinees Thursday, Nov. 10 at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 17 at 1:30 p.m. and Friday, Nov. 25 at 3:30 p.m. 

There are Post-Show Discussions scheduled Friday, Nov. 11 at 8 p.m and Sunday, Nov. 17 at 1:30 p.m. and Open Caption performances Saturday, Nov. 19 and Saturday, Nov. 26 at 3:30 p.m. Subscriptions to Porchlight’s 28th season are now on sale and may be purchased through the Box Office by calling 773.777.9884 or by visiting PorchlightMusicTheatre.org.  Single tickets for RENT start at $25 and are now on sale.

Over the last 25 years, RENT, a Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical based loosely on the 1896 Italian opera La Boheme by Giacomo Puccini, has become a cultural phenomenon with millions of fans around the world. Porchlight’s production celebrates this legacy and adds a new page to the story of a year in the life of a diverse group of artists struggling to survive and create in Lower Manhattan’s East Village under the shadow of HIV/AIDS. In the thriving days of bohemian Alphabet City at the end of the millennium, these friends are determined to follow their dreams without selling out.

The cast for RENT includes Bridget Adams-King* (ensemble/Maureen US); Wesly Anthony Clergé+ (swing/Collins US); Naphtali Curry+ (ensemble/Benny US);  Leah Davis* (ensemble/Joanne US); Caitlin Dobbins* (swing); Lucy Godínez* (Maureen Johnson); Nick Johnson+ (swing/US Angel); Chris Khoshaba+ (ensemble); Nik Kmiecik+ (ensemble/US Mark); Teressa LaGamba* (Joanne Jefferson); Eric Lewis+ (Tom Collins); David Moreland+ (Mark Cohen); Ziare Paul-Emile* (Swing/Mimi US); Alix Rhode* (Mimi Marquez); Abraham Shaw+ (Benjamin “Benny” Coffin III); Josh Pablo Szabo+/^ (Angel Dumott Schunard);  TJ Tapp* (dance captain/ensemble); Brennan Urbi^/+ (ensemble/US Roger) and Shraga D. Wasserman^ (Roger Davis).

The RENT band includes Dr. Michael McBride+ (conductor/keyboard); Jacob Levi Walsh+/^ (guitar 1), Cesar Romero+ (guitar 2), Marcel Bonfim+ (bass) and Lior Shragg+ (drums).

The RENT production team includes Adrian Abel Azevedo+ (director); Laura Savage* (choreographer); Dr. Michael McBride+ (music director/conductor); Frankie Leo Bennett+ (assistant director, producing artistic associate); Isaiah Silvia-Chandley+ (assistant choreographer); Kirsten Baity^ (intimacy designer); Ann Davis* (scenic designer); Gregory Graham+ (costume designer); Maggie Fullilove-Nugent* (lighting designer);  Josiah Croegaert+ (associate lighting designer); Matthew R. Chase+ (sound designer); Smooch Medina+ (production designer); Rowan Doe^ (properties designer); Wilhelm Peters+ (production stage manager); Andrea Enger= (assistant stage manager); Kevin Vilchez+ (assistant stage manager); Johnnie Schleyer+ (scenic supervisor); Rachel West* (lighting supervisor); David Sabbagh+ (audio assistant); Deborah Blumenthal* (dramaturg); Majel Cuza* (production manager); Alex Rhyan+ (production & operations director) and Michael Weber+ (artistic director). 

 Pronoun Key: + (he/him/his); * (she/her/hers); ^ (they, them, theirs). = (any with respect)

ABOUT ADRIAN ABEL AZEVEDO+, director

Adrian Abel Azevedo is a freelance director, producer and teaching artist in the Chicago area, originally from Southern California. He has worked in this community for over 10 years and is an Artistic Associate with Kokandy Productions where he most recently directed the Chicago premiere of Cruel Intentions. An alumni of Columbia College Chicago, he has directed, produced and taught for Chicagoland theatre companies including Goodman Theatre, Porchlight Music Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre, Steep Theatre, Northlight Theatre, Kokandy Productions, Teatro Vista and Music Theater Works. He recently directed the regional premiere of Zorro the Musical at Music Theater Works.

ABOUT LAURA SAVAGE*, choreographer

Laura Savage recently choreographed and starred in Porchlight’s Chicago Sings Stephen Sondheim and its 2021 ICONS Gala honoring Chita Rivera. She also appeared in Porchlight productions A Chorus Line, Pal Joey and Porchlight Revisits Call Me Madam. Savage is a Jeff-nominated actress and has appeared in more than 35 Chicago productions. She has choreographed Cruel Intentions at Kokandy Productions and Zorro at Music Theatre Works and has associate choreographed and dance captained at such venues as Marriott Theatre, Paramount Theatre and Drury Lane Theatre. Savage also appeared on and choreographed for Fox’s hit show “Empire.”

ABOUT DR. MICHAEL MCBRIDE+, music director/conductor

Dr. Michael McBride is a Jeff Award-winning music director, internationally-performed composer, performer and educator. Credits include Big Fish (Boho Theatre, Jeff Award); Billy Elliot (Music Theatre Works); Ain’t Misbehavin’, The Robber Bridegroom, Jesus Christ Superstar, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Pippin, What a Wonderful World (workshop), Man of La Mancha, Mamma Mia!, Into The Woods, The Little Mermaid (Timber Lake Playhouse); The Boys and the Nuns (composer & MD), Fun Home, Violet, Cabaret, Tintypes, She Loves Me, Spring Awakening, Hot Mikado, Urinetown, Into the Woods (Loyola University Chicago); PorchlightPalooza, Broadway by the Decade (Porchlight Music Theatre); The Christmas Foundling (composer & MD; Pride Arts Center); Footloose (Wallace Bowl); The Drake Hotel holiday programming and The Cabaret Project in Chicago, St. Louis and Lake Geneva. He is proud to be music director at A Church 4 Me MCC in Chicago. He has been a guest artist at Northwestern University and is also the Area Supervisor of Music Theory, Aural Skills and Music History at North Park University.

ABOUT PORCHLIGHT MUSIC THEATRE AS A RUTH PAGE IN-RESIDENCE ORGANIZATION

Porchlight Music Theatre is proud to be a member of the vibrant Ruth Page Center for the Arts community and an In-Resident Organization. Central to the Ruth Page Center for the Arts’ programming is this program, which is designed to serve organizations looking for a home base while they grow or expand their artistic and organizational capabilities. The Center is committed to nurturing and assisting dance and other performing artists, allowing for exchange and collaborative relationships to develop within the artistic community. The Ruth Page Center for the Arts is a destination for quality performing arts, accessible to a wide community regardless of race, gender, age, education or disability. An incubator of artistic energy and excellence, the Ruth Page Center for the Arts carries forward the vision of its founder, legendary dance icon Ruth Page, to be a platform for developing great artists and connecting them with audiences and community.

ABOUT PORCHLIGHT MUSIC THEATRE

Porchlight Music Theatre, now in its 28th season, is the award-winning center for music theatre in Chicago. Through live performance, youth education and community outreach, we impact thousands of lives each season, bringing the magic of musicals to our theatre home at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts in the Gold Coast and to neighborhoods across the city. Porchlight has built a national reputation for boldly reimagining classic musicals, supporting new works and young performers, and showcasing Chicago’s most notable music theatre artists, all through the intimate and powerful theatrical lens of the “Chicago Style.” 

Porchlight's history over the last 27 years includes more than 70 mainstage works with 15 Chicago premieres and five world premieres. Porchlight’s commitment to the past, present and future of music theatre led the company to develop the Porchlight Revisits and New Faces Sing Broadway program series, both quickly becoming audience favorites. 

Porchlight's education and outreach programs serve schools, youth of all ages and skill levels and community organizations, most notably the ongoing collaboration with Chicago Youth Centers. Porchlight annually awards dozens of full scholarships and hundreds of free tickets to ensure accessibility and real engagement with this uniquely American art form. 

The company’s many honors include 178 Joseph Jefferson Award (Jeff) nominations and 49 Jeff awards, as well as 44 Black Theatre Alliance (BTA) nominations and 15 BTA awards. In 2019, Porchlight graduated to the Large Theatre tier of the Equity Jeff Awards and has been honored with seven awards in this tier to date including Best Ensemble for Duke Ellington’s Sophisticated Ladies (2019) and Best Production-Revue for Blues in the Night (2022). 

Through the global pandemic, Porchlight emerged as one of Chicago’s leaders in virtual programming, quickly launching a host of free offerings like Sondheim @ 90 Roundtables, Movie Musical Mondays, Porchlight by Request: Command Performances and WPMT: Classic Musicals from the Golden Age of Radio. In 2021, Porchlight launched its annual summer series, Broadway in your Backyard, performing at parks and venues throughout the city. 

Porchlight Music Theatre presents the Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical, RENT, music, lyrics and book by Jonathan Larson, at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St., now playing through Sunday, Nov. 27. Porchlight’s production is directed by Adrian Abel Azevedo+, music directed by Dr. Michael McBride+ and choreographed by Laura Savage*. The performance schedule is Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 3:30 and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. with weekday matinees Thursday, Nov. 10 at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 17 at 1:30 p.m. and Friday, Nov. 25 at 3:30 p.m. There are Post-Show Discussions scheduled Friday, Nov. 11 at 8 p.m and Sunday, Nov. 17 at 1:30 p.m. and Open Caption performances Saturday, Nov. 19 and Saturday, Nov. 26 at 3:30 p.m. Subscriptions to Porchlight’s 28th season are now on sale and may be purchased through the Box Office by calling 773.777.9884 or by visiting PorchlightMusicTheatre.org.  Single tickets for RENT start at $25 and are now on sale.

Porchlight Music Theatre is partially supported by generous contributions from  Allstate; Michael Best & Friedrich LLP; Abe and Ida Cooper Foundation; Elegant Event Lighting; Glimpse Vision; James P. and Brenda S. Grusecki Family Foundation; Hearty Boys; A.L. and Jennie L. Luria Foundation; The MacArthur Fund for Culture, Equity and the Arts at Prince; the Pritzker Traubert Foundation; Ryan and Spaeth, Inc.; Daniel and Genevieve Ratner Foundation; The Saints and Dr. Scholl Foundation.

The season program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency, a state agency, and by a CityArts Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events. 

Porchlight Music Theatre wishes to thank members of the Matching Gift Corporate Program including Abbvie; Allstate; Lloyd A. Fry Foundation; Peoples Gas; Pepsico; Polk Bros Foundation and The Saints. 

Performance Schedule:

Friday, Nov. 4 at 8 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 5 at 3:30 p.m. 

Sunday, Nov. 6 at 2 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 10 at 10:30 a.m. (Student Matinee) and 7:30p.m.

Friday, Nov. 11 at 8 p.m. (Post-Show Discussion)

Saturday, Nov. 12 at 3:30 and 8 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 13 at 2 p.m

Thursday, Nov. 17 at 1:30 p.m. (Post-Show Discussion)

Friday, Nov. 18 at 8 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 19 at 3:30 p.m. (Open Caption) and 8 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 20 at 2 p.m.

THANKSGIVING 

Friday, Nov. 25 at 3:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 26 at 3:30 p.m. (Open Caption) and 8 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 27 at 2 p.m.

Now Extended Through December 11th