Stage Entertainment has confirmed reports that it is working to bring a new musical based on the life of Tina Turner to the stage. Multiple Grammy Award-winner Turner has joined with the creative and production teams to bring this musical to life.
Collaborators include writer Katori Hall (The Mountaintop), Frank Ketelaar and Kees Prins, director Phyllida Lloyd (Mary Stuart, Mamma Mia!), set and costume designer Mark Thompson, musical supervisor Nicholas Skilbeck and choreographer Anthony van Laast.
According to Turner, “We have been working on the musical for over a year now and today I am delighted to be able to share our news as we begin the next chapter of our journey. It has been wonderful to collaborate with Katori and Phyllida and to have my story nurtured by such an amazing creative team is thrilling. London has always had a very special place in my heart and it’s wonderful to be back.”
The group creative director Tali Pelman went on to say, “It’s been an honour for us all to collaborate so closely with Tina Turner on this project. Tina is a music legend and her iconic songs are matched only by the power and inspiration of her remarkable and moving story. We are delighted to be working with Katori Hall, whose writing has a heart and humour that beautifully captures Tina’s life story, and to have the extraordinary director Phyllida Lloyd at the helm of such a talented creative team. It’s been exciting today to see the project move into its next phase.”
Adrienne Warren, of Broadway fame, who was a Tony nominee for her performance in Shuffle Along, will be playing Turner in the play. They have yet to set a date for the premier.