Less than two months out from their May 2023 production of TINA – The Tina Turner Musical in Sydney’s Theatre Royal, Australian producers TEG Dainty has confirmed that rehearsals are now underway. This announcement comes with confirmation that new tickets will be going on-sale to the general public starting Thursday, as well as some first looks at the cast getting in to their respective roles.
New tickets going on-sale will cover performances at Theatre Royal through to 8 October 2023, with booking information available via the show’s official website. Multiple tiers of ticket prices are available, with a higher price indicating a better seating reserve.
In Australia, the coveted role of Tina Turner will be played by Ruva Ngwenya whohas been gracing our stagessince her early years with her first professional role in 2013 as Shenzi in The Lion King. The role of Ike Turner will be played by Australian triple threat and multi-platinum selling performer, Tim Omaji. The principal cast also includes principals Jochebel Ohene MacCarthy playing the Tina Turner alternate, Ibinabo Jack playing Tina’s mother Zelma Bullock, Deni Gordon as Tina’s Grandmother Gran Georgeanna (GG) and Nadia Komazec as Ike and Tina’s manager Rhonda Graam.
Jayme-Lee Hanekom will play Tina’s sister Alline Bullock and one of the Ikettes, Augie Tchantcho plays Tina’s father Richard Bullock, Rishab Kern as Tina’s first love Raymond Hill, Matthew Prime as record company Marketing Manager Erwin Bach, Mat Verevis as Tina’s Manager Roger Davies, John O’Hara as Record Producer Phil Spector and Lyricist Terry Britten, and Blake Erickson as musician Martyn Ware and Carpenter. Ensemble members include Mia Dabkowski-Chandler, Michael Corey Hassel, Nicholas Eaton, Abu Kebe as Ronnie, Jenni Little as Toni, David Mairs-McKenzie as Craig, Emily Nkomo as an Ikette, Gus Noakes, Kristin Paulse, Ilana Richardson, Tendai Rinomhota, Noel Samuels, Ina Seidou, Rebecca Selley as an Ikette and Tigist Strode as an Ikette.
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.
