MELBOURNE, Fla. – It’s described as an uplifting comeback story like no other.
“TINA – The Tina Turner Musical" celebrates Tina Turner’s resilience, talent, and triumphant rise from a small-town girl with a big voice to an international icon as the Queen of Rock n’ Roll.
Turner is one of the world’s best-selling artists of all time, with 12 Grammy Awards.
Her rise to fame wasn’t an easy one. The musical follows the highs and lows of the two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, including her marriage scarred by domestic violence, to her triumphs as a solo artist.
Darilyn Burtley currently plays Tina Turner in the touring show.
“I relate to Tina in more ways than I expected. Getting to portray her has been more cathartic, painful at times, healing, and empowering,” said Burtley.
She shared the main message she hopes people take away from the show.
“Autonomy and choice. We all have the power to make the best of the cards we’re dealt. No matter who doubts you or says you’re too late, don’t believe them,” Burtley said.
“What’s for you is for you, if you choose to take it. Use rock bottom as a spring board and create your own happy ending. It works,” she went on to explain.
Turner is known for hits like “What’s Love Got to Do With It,” “Private Dancer,” ″River Deep, Mountain High,” “The Best,” “Proud Mary,” and so much more.
The musical features a lot of her beloved songs. It’s written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Katori Hall, and it has 12 Tony nominations, including an eventual best actress winning trophy for Adrienne Warren in the title role.
The jukebox musical made its world premiere in London in 2018, before opening the following year on Broadway.
“People would probably be surprised to know that in a two hour and forty minute show, I’m only off stage for seven minutes,” said Burtley.
Turner died in May 2023 at her home in Switzerland. She had been dealing with several serious health issues, including kidney failure, high blood pressure, and intestinal cancer. She was 83.
The musical about her life is performing at Peabody Auditorium in Daytona Beach Feb. 18, before heading to the King Center in Melbourne Feb. 24-25.