Tina – Tina Turner musical is coming to Sydney from May 2023 in Australian

The smash hit TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL is coming to the Theatre Royal Sydney in May 2023 in an Australian premiere. Tina Turner’s music is synonymous with the Harbour City, with Tina performing one of her most famous hits (Simply) The Best with Jimmy Barnes live at the 1993 NRL Grand Final in Sydney.

Produced by TEG DAINTY in association with Stage Entertainment, Tali Pelman and Tina Turner, the 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.

NSW Minister for Tourism, Stuart Ayres said “Tina Turner is a global icon of music, her songs are timeless classics and her personal life story is one that resonates with so many people. TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL is a critically-acclaimed global sensation that will appeal to a variety of audiences, from young fans to seasoned theatregoers, to people who just love great live music,” My Ayres said.

“This universal appeal is why the NSW Government has secured its Australian premiere for Sydney. It will be a major drawcard for visiting and local audiences, providing a significant boost to the state’s visitor economy. TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL is another fantastic addition to the calendar of world-class Australian premiere productions the NSW Government is building to deliver on our goal of making Sydney and NSW the major events capital and premier visitor economy of the Asia Pacific.”

TINA TURNER added “Hello Sydney! I am so excited to be announcing that TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL will be opening in Sydney next year. Australia has always shared abundant love with me, going back to my early concerts in the late 70’s through the uplifting partnership with the National Rugby League. It is very special for me that we will be reunited. The joy, passion and message of resilience in my musical is so important now as ever. Thank you from the bottom my heart for welcoming me with open arms once again.”

Geoff Jones, TEG GROUP CEO said, “We are thrilled to be bringing TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL to Australia! TINA will delight fans of musical theatre, but will also appeal to a much broader cross-section of the market due to Tina’s association with and love for Australia, and her long-held icon status in this part of the world”.

Paul Dainty AM, President, and CEO of TEG DAINTY said, “I first heard about the possibility of a stage musical portraying Tina’s life 7 years ago and I immediately reached out to Tali Pelman at Stage Entertainment. At that point there was no script and no book however I was hooked on the idea of it. We have been on that journey ever since, and here we are today launching the Australian premiere in Sydney! Australians will love this theatrical masterpiece which tells the story of Tina’s life, of empowerment and success, and is ultimately the best music industry comeback story of all time.”

Producer, Tali Pelman said, “I know Australia is very close to Tina’s heart, so we are especially excited to announce our opening in Sydney. Our musical is about how Tina became not only the music icon we adore, but the woman who continues to motivate and inspire us today. Everything about Tina is unique – her heart, her story and of course her voice – and we can’t wait for Australians to experience her journey and her triumph through our show.”

Tina Turner’s connection to Sydney and Australia runs deep with the singer and her work intrinsically linked to the city:

  • Upon its original release in 1973, her semi-autobiographical hit Nutbush City Limits spent an entire year in the top 100 of Australia’s single chart.

  • In 1977, one of Tina’s first-ever solo tours – which took place before she had even recorded her first real solo album – thrilled Sydney audiences with performances at the Hordern Pavilion. Then by popular demand, Tina performed rapturously received shows as part of her subsequent Break Every Rule (1988), What’s Love? (1993) and Wildest Dreams (1997) tours at the Sydney Entertainment Centre.

  • Tina’s smash hit The Best after became the centrepiece of the campaign for the National Rugby League and synonymous with Sydney. A new take on this song – recorded as a duet with Jimmy Barnes and retitled (Simply) The Best – returned to the Australian charts upon its 1992 release and was performed live by the pair at 1993’s NRL Grand Final at Sydney Football Stadium.

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, wigs, hair and makeup design by Drama Desk Award winner Campbell Young Associates and music direction by Alvin Hough Jr.

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.

When she was inducted into the Rock And 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).

The waitlist for tickets and information on TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL is open now, visit https://www.tinathemusical.com.au/

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