Ahead of the musical’s Australian premiere at Theatre Royal Sydney in May 2023, producers Paul Dainty / TEG Dainty today confirmed that the role of Ike Turner in Tina: The Tina Turner Musical will be filled by Tim Omaji. They will perform opposite Ruva Ngwena, who earlier this month was confirmed as filling the show’s titular role.
The casting of Omaji follows a history on both stage and screen. Their theatre credits include one of leading roles, Toulouse-Lautrec, in the original Australian cast of Moulin Rouge! The Musical, the standout role of Benny in the critically acclaimed and sold-out season of the Hayes Theatre Company’s production of In The Heights and the lead role of Tyrone Jackson in Fame The Musical. On the screen side of things, he has been involved in a range of shows including Australia’s Got Talent.
I am humbled and excited to step into the role of Ike Turner. The Tina Turner story is one of triumph over immense tragedy and I am honoured to take up the gauntlet from the amazing Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, who won the Olivier Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Ike in the original West End production.
Tim Omaji
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.
