TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL reveals a comeback story like no other, of a woman who dared to defy the bounds of racism, sexism, and ageism to become the global Queen of Rock n’ Roll. TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL is a celebration of resilience and an inspiration of triumph over adversity.
TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL is based on the life of legendary artist Tina Turner and presented in association with Tina Turner herself, the musical originally opened on Broadway on November 7, 2019, was nominated for 12 Tony Awards including Best Musical.
Tina Turner is one of the world’s best-selling artists of all time, she 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. She was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1991 as a duo alongside Ike Turner and as a solo artist in 2021. She was the first black artist and the first female to be featured on the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine. Turner also acted in films such as: Tommy (1975), Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985), and Last Action Hero (1993). In 1993, What's Love Got to Do with It, and she is a published author.
“It has been years since I toured the U.S., 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
I had the pleasure of speaking with Roz White who is currently starring as Zelma Bullock (Tinas Mother) in, TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL. She and the cast are currently on a 30 city North American tour.
Roz White is a vocalist, actress and teaching artist from Washington DC. She began acting as a young child and this is her 3rd National Broadway Tour. Roz has worked as a featured and supporting vocalist with Yolanda Adams (Grammy Award-winning project, "The Experience" Live in DC), Chante' Moore, Stevie Wonder, The O'Jays, Gerald Levert, Ray Charles, and Michael Jackson. Roz recorded two hit dance singles, 'Bad for Me' and 'A Little More Love' which gained recognition in Billboard magazine's New Noteworthy column.
I asked Roz what drew her to be part of this production? She said, “Tina Turner has been a staple in my household since I was a little kid. I remember ‘Private Dancer’ coming out when I was 14 years old. I was always singing along to her records and just loved her story. Then in the 90’s when I went as saw the movie What’s Love Got to Do with It, I fell even more in love with her story.”
Roz plays the character of Zelma, Tinas mother. (For those of you familiar with Tina Turners story she and her mother had a very compilated relationship.) I asked Roz what it is like playing a character that isn’t loved on stage. She said, “I like to play complex characters, and ones that get a bad rap because they make unpopular choices. Zelma makes an unpopular choice by leaving Tina as a young child. I do love the complexity of Zelma.” Roz laughed and continued with, “I love when audiences come to me and say, ‘We hated you, but you were so good!’ I feel I am bringing honesty and truth to this role, and I think audiences appreciate that.”
I asked Roz what the audience can expect to see on stage? She said, “The costumes are just amazing! We go from the 1930’s all the way to the 1980’s, (Tinas career expanded all those decades) The costumes are all very detailed and reflex each period perfectly. There are over 100 wigs alone in this show! The set is more natural than it originally was on Broadway, but we have this beautiful LED wall behind us that takes you all around the world.” (set and costume designs by Tony Award nominee Mark Thompson)
I asked Roz what she thought the audience would be talking about on their drive home after the show. She said, “Some might be talking about how they didn’t know everything that Tina went though, and how her strength and perseverance didn’t stop her from reaching her goals. Others will be singing the songs and talking about how much energy is in this show! It is both a play and a concert featuring 25 songs.”
Come out and see Roz and the entire cast of TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL playing at the Detroit Opera House December 6th -18th 2022. It will be Simply the Best!
Tickets for TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL are on sale now and range in price from $35 - $140 (includes facility fee) with a select number of premium tickets available. Individual tickets will be available for purchase online at www.ticketmaster.com by phone at 800-982-2787, and in person at the Fisher Theatre Box Office.
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