In this new podcast, Paul goes Behind the Curtain with the two actresses who share the role of Tina Turner (each performing four times a week). Naomi Rodgers and Zurin Villaneuva discuss the challenges of portraying a living legend and icon of Rock and Roll who has given her blessing to this production. Tina plays from March 14th – April 2nd only at the Nederlander Theatre and tickets can be purchased at www.broadwayinchicago.com.

****/4 stars

Simply the Best! Better than All the Rest. No line from a Tina Turner song better sums up the experience watching Tina: The Tina Turner Musical. What’s love got to do with it? Everything! I love this production, I love Zurin Villaneueva (who performs four times a week, sharing the role with Ari Groover..and after seeing the show, you’ll understand why no one could perform this role eight times a week) and I loved this evening at the theater! Tina Turner had a rough life facing physical abuse at home and in her relationship. I wasn’t sure how that part of her life would be handled and portrayed in a musical…Act One is dark, it’s uncomfortable, but it was also real and raw….it’s was her life. This part of the story is essential to showing us how Tina persevered and overcame to reach the top. Yet, her past is never far behind her and the story incorporates the power of her past throughout the story…a reminder to us and a reminder from Tina that it is up to us what we do with the challenges in life we faced. Tina survives and thrives….and in case you had any doubt, hang on to your seats for Act II which presents Tina in all her glory. Never been to a Tina Turner concert? Wish you could have gone to one? No worries! Tina: The Tina Turner Musical takes you there. There is no way you don’t leave the theater without a smile on your face and singing a Tina song on  your way out the door…I heard some singing at the top of their lungs! Yes, after seeing Tina-The Tina Turner Musical I can say….We don’t need another hero…..we have…TINA!!