Katori Hall, writer TINA – The Tina Turner Musical, shared with us more background on her process of writing the musical and all the heart and soul that she poured into it. Don’t miss your chance to experience this show in person when it comes to Walton Arts Center Dec. 12 – 17.
“I started on Tina as a child. What I mean by that is that I am from Tennessee. Tina’s from Tennessee. My mother loved Tina Turner so much that she named my eldest sister after her. Her presence was always baked into the soundtrack of my own life – my mum would talk about her all the time, and her influence on being a woman in the South.
Being asked to walk hand in hand with Tina in the process taught me that it wasn’t about what she said, it was about what she was hesitant to say. This was where the new part of the story was. When I interviewed Tina, we talked a lot not just about Ike, but also her life before Ike. She grew up in an abusive home. Often people point to Ike and say he’s the biggest villain in her life, but in all actuality, there have been a number of negative factors, including racism, sexism, classism as well as abusive individuals and environments, including the household in which she grew up. Tina has had to slay the biggest dragons that anyone can slay and yet Tina’s journey has been utterly inspirational.
The musical had to bring the essence of a Tina Turner concert into a theater. It is a way to make sure that this icon and her energy never goes away – to make her immortal. My parents got to see Tina perform in person, but my generation has only seen her concerts in film footage. To see Tina live was a gift that is gone now, and so the musical is the best way to keep the theatricality of Tina’s own concerts, her life story and her influence alive.
To see what this woman achieved in a life that others may have deemed non-important, to see this woman come from the middle of nowhere to being at a point where her impact will be felt for generations. You can slay domestic abuse, you can slay the dragon of racism, and I want people to leave the theater feeling triumphant.
The show ends with a concert. There’s so much joy in having survived, and I want people to understand that no one can take your love and power from you. It’s inside yourself, and it can’t be taken. I’m so happy that we can showcase the essence of Tina as a resilient woman, in addition to Tina the performer. The music is kind of secondary in that respect.
It’s the story of survival in the show that’s most important – the message that you can rise to your own personal mountaintop.”
For this show you can add on a VIP experience! Step past the velvet rope into a private VIP room open pre-show and at intermission, with two drinks of choice, a dedicated bar, hors d’oeuvres, desserts and a themed photo booth. Add on this package for only $49 per person and experience TINA – The Tina Turner Musical the VIP way.