Ruva Ngwenya is set to play the role of the US music legend Tina Turner in the upcoming TINA! The Tina Turner Musical in Australia. In a statement on the musical’s official website, the producers of the show announced that she had been cast in the role.
The producers of TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL are proud to announce rising star RUVA NGWENYA will play Tina Turner! Ruva has played in a string of successful musicals and is one of musical theatre’s most sought-after performers.
The statement went to announce that the musical will take place in May, at the Theatre Royal Sydney.
TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL is rollin’ into Sydney this May. This global smash hit musical phenomenon is a celebration of Tina Turner, an unstoppable woman who became the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Set to a soundtrack of Tina’s most loved hits, experience the story of an artist who didn’t just break the rules, she rewrote them. This heart-pumping production is guaranteed to raise the roof at Theatre Royal Sydney.
This is going to be Ngwenya’s first lead role in musical theatre and possibly the most high profile production she’s been involved in. TINA The Tina Turner Musical has had 37 award nominations including BEST NEW MUSICAL (Olivier Awards) and BEST MUSICAL (Tony Awards).
In an interview Ngwenya expressed how honoured she was by the role and she spoke about how Tina Turner’s had a hand in her pursuing theatre.
I am honoured to have the opportunity to be part of this telling of Tina Turner’s life story. Tina’s courage, grace and determination are inspirational to me and so many people around the world. Her music literally changed my life as a 15-year-old when I performed River Deep – Mountain High solo on stage for the very first time in my school musical. This moment led me to the path of performing and musical theatre.
Ruva’s professional musical theatre career started in 2013 as she played Shenzi in The Lion King. She has featured in several high profile productions since then and she is currently one of the highly rated theatre performers.
