Tina Turner the musical is a jukebox musical based on the life and music of Tina Turner. It has been running in London’s West End since April 2018 and on Broadway since October 2019. The musical features many of Turner’s greatest hits and chronicles her life from her humble beginnings in Nutbush, Tennessee to her rise to fame as part of the Ike & Tina Turner Revue and her triumphant comeback as a solo artist in the 1980s. The musical has received critical acclaim and is slated for an open-ended run in both London and New York.
London Production
The London production of Tina Turner the Musical opened at the Aldwych Theatre in London’s West End on April 17, 2018. It began previews on March 21, 2018. The musical is booking tickets through October 28, 2023 as of now. However, given its immense popularity and demand for tickets, it is likely to extend beyond this date. Producers have not announced an official closing date.
Some key details about the London production timeline:
Opening and Reviews
– April 17, 2018: Press night and opening night in London. Reviews were very positive.
West End Run
– October 2018: Booking extended to June 2019
– February 2019: Booking extended to January 2020
– September 2019: Booking extended to October 2020
– March 2020: Theatre shutdown due to Covid-19 pandemic
– July 2021: Theatre reopens after pandemic closure
– October 2021: Booking extended to June 2023
– May 2022: Booking extended to October 2023
So in summary, the London production has been booking in increments of 6-12 months at a time since its opening. It has weathered the pandemic closures and re-opened successfully. There is no sign it will close anytime soon.
New York Production
The Broadway production of Tina Turner the Musical opened at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on November 7, 2019, after beginning previews on October 12, 2019. It is currently booking through August 20, 2023.
Some key details on the New York production timeline:
Opening and Reviews
– November 7, 2019: Press night and opening night on Broadway. The reviews were excellent.
Broadway Run
– March 2020: Theatre shutdown due to Covid-19 pandemic
– October 2021: Theatre reopens after pandemic closure
– October 2022: Booking extended to August 2023
The Broadway production has weathered the pandemic and re-opened to strong ticket sales. Producers have extended the booking once so far by 10 months. It’s likely the show will continue booking extensions every 6-12 months into the future if demand remains high.
Comparison of London vs. Broadway Productions
Here is a comparison of the London and Broadway productions of Tina Turner the Musical:
Production | Venue | First Preview | Opening Night | Original Booking Through | Current Booking Through |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
London | Aldwych Theatre | March 21, 2018 | April 17, 2018 | June 2019 | October 28, 2023 |
Broadway | Lunt-Fontanne Theatre | October 12, 2019 | November 7, 2019 | N/A | August 20, 2023 |
The London production has been running over 5 years now, while Broadway is nearing its 4 year anniversary. Both productions have extended bookings multiple times.
What critics have said
Tina Turner the Musical has received widespread critical acclaim:
London reviews
– The Guardian: “This Tina’s simply the best.”
– London Evening Standard: “Adrienne Warren wows as Tina Turner.”
– The Times: “Dazzling. A standing ovation for Tina.”
New York reviews
– The Hollywood Reporter: “A glorious musical tribute to the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll.”
– Rolling Stone: “Hot, triumphant and not to be missed. This musical roars.”
– Variety: “Exhilarating. This is a musical worthy of its legendary subject.”
Audience response
In addition to critical praise, the musical has been a huge hit with audiences. It is frequently playing to sold out crowds and high demand for tickets.
Some key metrics about audience response:
Production | Total Audience | Average Capacity |
---|---|---|
London | Over 1 million | 95% |
Broadway | Over 500,000 | 90% |
Both productions are consistently playing near capacity houses. The London production has now been seen by over 1 million people, a major feat for a West End musical.
Awards
In addition, Tina Turner the Musical has earned numerous award nominations and wins:
London
– Olivier Award for Best New Musical (nominee)
– Adrienne Warren won Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical
Broadway
– Tony Award for Best Musical (nominee)
– Adrienne Warren won Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical
– Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical (winner)
This recognition from major theatre awards like the Oliviers and Tonys demonstrates the critical and industry acclaim the musical has achieved.
Will the musical tour?
Currently there are no plans for an official tour of Tina Turner the Musical in either the UK, US or internationally. However, this could certainly change in the future depending on demand. Some factors that may influence a tour:
– Sustained success of the London and Broadway productions over an extended multi-year run
– Producers being approached by venues/promoters interested in touring rights
– Tina Turner herself wanting the musical to tour so new audiences can experience it
– Producers feeling the brand has become big enough to launch a tour
So while a tour hasn’t been confirmed, it remains a possibility down the line if the circumstances are right. The productions in London and New York would need to be established long-running hits before a tour is considered.
How to get tickets
If you want tickets to see Tina Turner the Musical in London or New York, here are some tips:
London tips
– Book early online via the show’s official website. Early booking allows best choice of dates/seats.
– Sign up for email alerts for new booking windows and priority booking periods
– Check for ticket lotteries and other discount schemes like Day Seats
– Be flexible on performance date if possible as less popular days are easier to book
Broadway tips
– Similarly, book directly via the show’s website when new booking windows open
– Check Broadway Direct for advance ticket access
– Consider Broadway ticket lotteries like Lucky Seat
– Follow the musical on social media for special offers and codes
The key is booking as early as possible, as both productions tend to sell out quickly due to high demand. Booking directly via the official website ensures authentic tickets.
Conclusion
In summary, Tina Turner the Musical is slated for an open-ended run in London and New York. The London production has been running since April 2018 and recently extended to October 2023. The Broadway production opened in November 2019 and has booking through August 2023.
Given the excellent reviews, audience response, and award recognition, it is likely both productions will continue to extend booking periods every 6-12 months into the foreseeable future. A tour is possible down the line, but nothing is confirmed yet. Ticket demand is high for both cities, so early and direct booking via the official websites is recommended.