Moulin Rouge! The Musical

Exploding with energy, glamour, and passion, Moulin Rouge! is a wild ride from start to finish. This adaptation of Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 film is told in a jukebox style, combining the original plot with modern, smash hits. Originally premiering in 2018, Moulin Rouge! has won 10 Tony Awards and continues to stun audiences which each production. 

TINA: The Tina Turner Musical

Exploding with energy and electrifying sound, TINA: The Tina Turner Musical is a show like no other. The musical follows the life and incredible comeback of Turner, starting with her modest early years in Tennessee and her journey to becoming one of the world’s most known names in the Rock’n’Roll music scene and music history itself. The show takes an in-depth look into Tina’s life, from her young years as Anna-Mae Bullock singing in New Orleans’ nightclubs, to how she met and started singing alongside Ike Turner, and her tumultuous career and marriage while with him, to how she finally overcame her struggles and became her own artist and person. 

Born in 1939 in Tennessee, Tina Turner was and is still known as the “Queen of Rock’n’Roll”. While she originally started by singing in church choir, she later met her future husband Ike Turner and began singing alongside him in his band, The Kings of Rhythm, between the years of 1956-1976. This period of her life was difficult, as she struggled with domestic abuse and began to have children all while touring and making music. Following a split from Ike and an almost fatal overdose, Tina reemerged into the music industry with what is known as one of the best comebacks of all time. Her hit song “What’s Love Got to Do with It” became Turner’s first and only Billboard Hot 100 Number 1 song and won her a Grammy award. Turner would continue on to be the recipient of 12 Grammy Awards and one of the most best-selling artists of all time. In an era of music that was full of big name stars and hot performances, Tina Turner’s shows sold more tickets than any other solo artists in history, a staggering and incredible feat that goes to show how beloved she was by the world. 

The show itself takes you along on this journey, accompanied by some of Turner’s biggest hits (“We Don’t Need Another Hero”, “Private Dancer”, “Better Be Good to Me”) and invigorating performances by the incredibly talented cast, headed by Zurin Villaneuva (Turner). From the incredible stage design, costumes, dazzling light and booming sound, this production is one-of-a-kind. As each era in Turner’s life develops, the outfits and confidence grow larger and more captivating. The performances from Villanueva (Turner), Deon Releford-Lee (Ike Turner), Dylan S. Wallach (Roger Davies), Roz White (Zelma) and Symphony King/Brianna Cameron (young Anna-Mae) went above and beyond. 

Even if you don’t know much about Turner, her music, or anything about her career, this is a very interesting look into her as a person, beyond just the famous name. If you are a Tina Turner fan, old or new,  be sure to stick around after the final bows as the cast returns for a megamix of Turner’s hits with all of the glitz and glitter of a real-life Tina performance. 

Highly Recommended 

Reviewed by Emilie Giardina

This production is running June 11th-16th at Overture Center for the Arts in Madison, WI. Overture Center is located at 201 State St., Madison, WI, 53703. The production is approx. 2 hours and 45 minutes, including one intermission. 

Tickets can be purchased through their website or by calling the box office at 608-258-4141.

John Mellancamp – Overture Center

John Mellencamp’s “Live and in Person 2024″ tour has him performing one-night stands in 27 cities across America, and Overture Center for the Arts in Madison, Wisconsin was among those lucky few venues to grab a night on this tour. 

I’m Not a Comedian…I’m Lenny Bruce

Written by and Starring Ronnie Marmo, Directed by Joe Mantegna

Ronnie Marmo is the perfect vessel for the betrayal of Lenny Bruce (Leonard Alfred Schneider) and this show feels like you are witnessing Lenny himself, a true privilege!

On Golden Pond at Skokie Theatre

My first visit to the Skokie Theatre is a reminder of the delight of local theatre in this 1912 intimate venue with MadCap celebrating its 10th year anniversary.

On Golden Pond was originally a successful Broadway play in 1981, and then a phenomenally successful film in which Henry Fonda (best actor), Katherine Hepburn (Best Actress) and Best Adapted Screenplay all wins at the 54th Academy Awards.