Ahead of the musical’s Australian premiere at Theatre Royal Sydney in May 2023, producers Paul Dainty / TEG Dainty today confirmed that the titular role of Tina Turner in Tina: The Tina Turner Musical will be held by Zimbabwean Australian actor Ruva Ngwenya. This casting follows their appearance in many other big-name musicals over the years, including We Will Rock You, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, and most recently Moulin Rouge The Musical. This however, will be her first leading role in a musical.
“I am honoured to have the opportunity to be part of this telling of Tina Turner’slife story. Tina’s courage, grace and determination are inspirational to me and so many people around the world. Her music literally changed my life as a 15-year-old when I performed River Deep – Mountain High solo on stage, for the very first time in my school musical. This moment led me to the path of performing and musical theatre.
Ruva Ngwenya
Australia holds a very special place in my heart and I am thrilled to be bringing my wonderful musical to Sydney. Ruva Ngwenya is a beautiful performer who I know will
Tina Turner
bring her own joy and her soul to this role. She joins a wonderful unique group of women that are my Tinas, and I’m proud of each and every one of them. Sending all my love and blessings to Ruva and the whole Australian company.
This new Australian production is being produced by TEG Dainty in collaboration with Stage Entertainment, Tali Pelman and Tina Turner, and sets out to present “a comeback story like no other, of a woman who dared to defy the bounds of her age, gender and race to become the global Queen of Rock n’ Roll”, and of course, with many of Tina Turner’s hits to back the narrative up.
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 supervision, additional music and arrangements 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 and wigs, hair and makeup design by Drama Desk Award winner Campbell Young Associates.
TINA: The Tina Turner Musical’s Australian tour is set to commence at Theatre Royal Sydney in May 2023, with no confirmation of future plans. Visit the show’s official website for information on ticketing.
