Skip to main content Skip to footer site map
Ruva Ngwenya Will Be Australia's Tina Turner in TINA at Theatre Royal Sydney

Ruva Ngwenya Will Be Australia's Tina Turner in TINA at Theatre Royal Sydney

TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL is coming to Theatre Royal Sydney in May 2023.

The producers of TINA - THE Tina Turner MUSICAL have announced that the coveted role of Tina Turner will be played by Zimbabwean Australian Ruva Ngwenya when the multi award-winning smash hit musical premieres at Theatre Royal Sydney this May.

Speaking about the announcement Tina Turner said "Australia holds a very special place in my heart and I am thrilled to be bringing my wonderful musical to Sydney. Ruva Ngwenya is a beautiful performer who I know will bring her own joy and her soul to this role. She joins a wonderful unique group of women that are my Tinas, and I'm proud of each and every one of them. Sending all my love and blessings to Ruva and the whole Australian company."

Ruva Ngwenya has been gracing Australian stages since her early years with her first professional role in 2013 as Shenzi in The Lion King. Born and educated in Melbourne, her musical instincts pay homage to her Zimbabwean Heritage. Ruva has performed in a string of successful musicals; We Will Rock You, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Ragtime and more recently Moulin Rouge The Musical, solidifying Ruva as one of musical theatre's most sought-after performers. Playing Tina Turner in TINA - THE Tina Turner MUSICAL marks her first lead role in musical theatre.

Ruva said "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."

NSW Minister for Tourism and the Arts, Ben Franklin said, "I am delighted for Ruva and congratulate her on being cast for the role as the iconic Tina Turner. I cannot wait for her to give simply the best performance when this internationally acclaimed, world-class production makes its Australian premiere in Sydney in May this year. The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government is committed to securing the world's best productions like TINA - THE Tina Turner MUSICAL for the Harbour City, which is key to our ambition to make Sydney and NSW the major events capital and premier visitor economy of the Asia Pacific."

Produced by Paul Dainty/TEG DAINTY in special collaboration with Stage Entertainment, Tali Pelman and Tina Turner; the musical reveals a comeback story like no other, of a woman who dared to defy the bounds of her age, gender and race to become the global Queen of Rock 'n' Roll. TINA - THE Tina Turner MUSICAL is a celebration of resilience and an inspiration of triumph over adversity.

Written by Tony Award nominee and Pulitzer Prize winner Katori Hall with Frank Ketelaar and Kees Prins, TINA - THE Tina Turner MUSICAL is directed by Tony Award nominee Phyllida Lloyd with choreography by Tony Award nominee Anthony Van Laast, set and costume designs by Tony Award nominee Mark Thompson, musical supervision, additional music and arrangements by Nicholas Skilbeck, lighting by Tony Award nominee Bruno Poet, sound by Tony Award nominee Nevin Steinberg, projection design by Tony Award nominee Jeff Sugg, orchestrations by Tony Award nominee Ethan Popp and wigs, hair and makeup design by Drama Desk Award winner Campbell Young Associates.

This new musical based on the life of legendary artist Tina Turner and presented in association with Tina Turner herself, received its world premiere in April 2018 in London, where it opened to five-star reviews and continues to break box office records at the Aldwych Theatre. In March 2019, the German production opened at Stage Operettenhaus in Hamburg, the Broadway production followed in November 2019 and was nominated for 12 Tony Awards including Best Musical. 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, Spain and the North American Tour commenced in September 2022. In 2023 alongside the Australian production, there will be another European Production in Stuttgart, Germany opening in March.

One of the world's best-selling artists of all time, Tina Turner has won 12 Grammy Awards and her live shows have been seen by millions, with more concert tickets sold than any other solo performer in music history. When she was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in October, 2021, Tina Turner became one of only three women in the institution's history to be inducted twice (she was initially inducted in 1991, alongside Ike Turner).

TINA - THE Tina Turner MUSICAL is coming to Theatre Royal Sydney in May 2023.

A brand-new release of tickets go on sale on Thursday 9th February.

For tickets and information, visit https://cloud.broadwayworld.com/rec/ticketclick.cfm?fromlink=2223016®id=189&articlelink=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tinathemusical.com.au%2F?utm_source=BWW2022&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=article&utm_content=bottombuybutton1



Related Stories
Saturdays Matinee Performance of TINA Is Canceled Due To Illness Photo
Hennepin Theatre Trust has announced that the Saturday matinee performance (Saturday, March 3, 2 p.m.) of TINA - The Tina Turner Musical has been canceled due to illness. Specific details on how to attend an alternate performance will be sent to affected ticket holders by email as soon.

Tim Omaji to Play Ike Turner in Australias TINA Photo
The producers of TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL have announced that the role of Ike Turner will be played by Australian triple threat and multi-platinum selling performer, Tim Omaji, when the award-winning smash hit musical premieres at Theatre Royal Sydney this May.

Review: In THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL, the Jukebox Genre Tries for More Than Just Rags-to-Ric Photo
Both the movie and the musical stand out because, while the rock legend ascends from rags to riches by the end, the story is less interested in Turner's journey to stardom than in her liberation from years of violent physical and emotional abuse at the hands of her husband and musical partner, Ike Turner...

Podcast: Villanueva, Rodgers on Sharing Role in TINA in Orlando Photo
On the latest episode, BroadwayRadio's Matt Tamanini is in conversation with the two women currently sharing the title role in the national tour of “Tina: The Tina Turner Musical.” Zurin Villanueva and Naomi Rodgers alternate performances in the dynamic, powerhouse role, each taking the stage four times per week. 


More Hot Stories For You


Soiree Cabaret And Kara Zmatiq Return To Sydney After A Sell Out Season At Sydney World Pride!Soiree Cabaret And Kara Zmatiq Return To Sydney After A Sell Out Season At Sydney World Pride!
March 29, 2023

After sell-out shows during Sydney World Pride, Australia's Best Singing Drag Queen Kara Zmatiq returns to Sydney with Soiree Cabaret Productions alongside the best in circus, burlesque and dance!

Telstra Ballet Dancer Awards 2023 Nominees AnnouncedTelstra Ballet Dancer Awards 2023 Nominees Announced
March 28, 2023

Telstra and The Australian Ballet have announced the five talented dancers selected as nominees for the 2023 Telstra Ballet Dancer Awards. The announcement comes as the partners celebrate the 20th anniversary of these prestigious awards, and toast to one of the longest running arts partnerships in Australia of 39 years.

Casus Creations and Cluster Arts Present COLLISION at Riverside TheatresCasus Creations and Cluster Arts Present COLLISION at Riverside Theatres
March 28, 2023

Riverside Theatres, Casus Creations and Cluster Arts will present Collision at the Lennox Theatre in Riverside Theatres Parramatta, from the 30th to 31st March 2023.

Merrigong Theatre Company and Branch Nebula Present AIR TIMEMerrigong Theatre Company and Branch Nebula Present AIR TIME
March 28, 2023

Merrigong Theatre Company and Branch Nebula will present the world premiere of Air Time, a stunning collision between wheels in motion and the elegant flow of dance and parkour, performing at Wollongong Town Hall from 20th to 22nd April. 

Theatresports All-Stars Comedy Festival Gala Set For MayTheatresports All-Stars Comedy Festival Gala Set For May
March 27, 2023

TheatreSports returns to the Enmore Theatre for its annual Sydney Comedy Festival star-turn!