“Tina” is simply the best

The tale of Tina Turner’s life is poetically portrayed in Tina: The Tina Turner Musical at the Academy of Music on the Kimmel Cultural Campus until December 4th. The story follows the life of Turner starting as little Anna Mae Bullock in 1940’s Nutbush, Tennessee, through her rise to megastar status as Tina Turner performing in front of 180,000 screaming fans in Brazil in 1988, which also happened to earn her a Guinness World Record.

Tina is an honest portrayal that includes her broken childhood, her difficult relationship with her mother, Zelma, and being discovered by, named by, and subsequently abused by Ike Turner, the “devil himself.” Lyrics from Turner’s songs are used to move the story along; some may bring a tear to your eye while others will make you want to sing along. Her catalog of music lends itself perfectly in painting her life’s journey.

Tina Turner herself was intimately involved in its creation. She approved every detail, from how the characters were portrayed, to how she performed her signature dance moves. “This musical is about my life but it’s like poison that turned to medicine.”

When the US Tour was announced, Turner reflected, “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.”

Tina can be seen in Philadelphia until December 4^th on the Kimmel Cultural Campus at the Academy of Music.