Nkeki Obi-Melekwe, currently starring in the Tony-nominated Tina—The Tina Turner Musical, recently stopped by ABC's Good Morning America to discuss playing the rock icon at Broadway's Lunt-Fontanne Theatre.
Obi-Melekwe said that her favorite song in the musical is "(Simply) The Best," but there is one Turner classic that she wishes could also be part of the production. Watch the complete interview above to find out which song.
As previously reported, Tina will play its final performance at the Lunt-Fontanne August 14. The production, which officially opened November 7, 2019, following previews that began October 12, will have played 27 previews and 482 regular performances at the time of closing.
The international hit musical will subsequently launch a 30-city national tour September 14 in Providence, Rhode Island.
The Broadway company is currently led by Obi-Melekwe as Tina, Nick Rashad Burroughs as Ike, Kayla Davion as Tina (at some performances), Tony nominee Myra Lucretia Taylor as Gran Georgeanna, NaTasha Yvette Williams as Zelma, and Katie Webber as Rhonda.
Watch Nick Rashad Burroughs' Quick Change Backstage at Broadway's Tina—The Tina Turner Musical
The ensemble features Juliet Benn, Steven Booth, Julius Chase, Ayla Ciccone-Burton, Milanis Clark, Holli’ Conway, Leandra Ellis-Gaston, Charlie Franklin, Judith Franklin, Josiah Gaffney, Matthew Griffin, Ari Groover, Sheldon Henry, David Jennings, Ethan Joseph, Ross Lekites, Robert Lenzi, Rob Marnell, Stephanie Martignetti, Jhardon DiShon Milton, NaTonia Monét, Deon Releford-Lee, Destinee Rea, Justin Schuman, Allysa Shorte, Eric Siegle, Carla R. Stewart, Skye Dakota Turner, Anthony Wayne, and Michelle West.
There are currently four other productions of Tina running around the world. The musical based on the life of rock icon Tina Turner and presented in association with the Grammy winner received its world premiere in April 2018 in London’s West End, where it continues at the Aldwych Theatre. Adrienne Warren created the role of Tina in the London production, subsequently repeating her work on Broadway and winning the 2020 Tony for Best Performance By an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical. In March 2019, the German production opened at Stage Operettenhaus in Hamburg, and the Dutch production opened at the Beatrix Theater, Utrecht, in February 2020. A third European production opened in fall 2021 at the Teatro Coliseum in Madrid.
Written by Tony nominee and Pulitzer Prize winner Katori Hall with Frank Ketelaar and Kees Prins, the musical is directed by Tony nominee Phyllida Lloyd with choreography by Tony nominee Anthony van Laast, set and costume designs by Tony nominee Mark Thompson, musical supervision, additional music, and arrangements by Nicholas Skilbeck, lighting by Tony nominee Bruno Poet, sound by Tony nominee Nevin Steinberg, projection design by Tony nominee Jeff Sugg, orchestrations by Tony nominee Ethan Popp, wigs, hair, and makeup design by Drama Desk winner Campbell Young Associates, music direction by Alvin Hough Jr., and casting by The Telsey Office.
