Naomi Rodgers on playing Tina Turner: 'Few female singers do rock 'n' roll like' her
Tina Turner has not only a big career and a big voice, but also a big life that has seen the singer triumph over adversity to become music royalty.
With a seven-decade career in which she’s racked up 35 Top 10 hits – including “Nutbush City Limits,” “River Deep – Mountain High,” “Proud Mary,” “Private Dancer,” “What’s Love Got to Do with It?” and “We Don’t Need Another Hero” – and received 12 Grammy Awards, Turner long ago cemented her status as the queen of rock 'n' roll.
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So, it’s not surprising that it is taking not one, but two, performers to portray the music legend in the North American tour of “Tina – The Tina Turner Musical,” which begins performances at Boston’s Citizens Bank Opera House on Sept. 20.
Naomi Rodgers and Zurin Villanueva are each doing four separate shows each week for the touring production of the 2019 Broadway musical. The show, which earned 12 Tony nominations, was written by Tony Award nominee and Pulitzer Prize winner Katori Hall with Frank Keterlaar and Kees Prins, and directed by Tony Award nominee Phyllida Lloyd with choreography by Anthony van Laast and set and costume designs by Tony Award nominee Mark Thompson.
The musical depicts Turner’s life from her early days in Ike Turner’s Kings of Rhythm and “The Ike and Tina Turner Review” to her extraordinary 1980s comeback as a solo-act superstar.
Rodgers, a Virginia Beach native and graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy – and last seen on the 2019 tour of “Frozen” – talked by telephone recently from Providence about what it takes to play the larger-than-life legend, and more.
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Q: Do you remember when you first became aware of Tina Turner?
A: I’m quite young so I didn’t get to experience the world of Tina Turner in her prime. Growing up, though, my mom and I did a lot of karaoke and Tina was always our go-to with songs like “Proud Mary” and “What’s Love Got to Do with It?”
You have to understand, my mom can’t sing a note, but she’ll sing Tina songs all day long.
Q: Are you a fan of her music?
A: I’ve become more of a fan as I’ve learned more about the story of this show. Her voice is different – it’s unique and very strong.
Q: Are her songs challenging to sing?
A: Yes. Before I started to sing these songs, I didn’t even know if I could do it. When I went in to audition, however, they loved my tape and then, while I was still in the room, my confidence built. Now, the honest truth is that I believe I’m meant to do this and I am very grateful for the opportunity.
Q: How did you prepare to play this role?
A: Mostly, I used the actor’s device of determining how I feel Tina would sing these songs. It’s not so much about sounding just like her, but instead having her essence. I started singing in the church but rock has since become one of my favorite genres of music, and few female singers do rock 'n' roll like Tina.
Q: What kind of research did you do?
A: As a cast, we spent most of our time getting into the book of this show. I also watched old videos of everything from Tina with the Ikettes to her farewell tour. I also listened to her audiobook, “Happiness Becomes You,” where she describes growing up as a Baptist and later converting to Buddhism. And our director had us read her 1986 autobiography, “I, Tina: My Life Story.”
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Q: What’s your favorite moment in the show and why?
A: There’s a moment in Act 1 – it’s the last song after the fight with Ike – when Tina goes to the hotel, gets her room key and sings “I Don’t Wanna Fight.” It’s kind of a release for Tina and I cry every time I sing it. It’s a moment to celebrate, really, that Tina will survive her abusive relationship with Ike and move forward beyond him.
Q: Have you learned new things about Tina doing this show?
A: I’ve always had respect for her as an artist, but one thing I’ve learned in preparing to play her is that she’s always had intentions with everything she did. She doesn’t speak when she doesn’t need to, but she always observes everything. And she doesn’t waste time on anything pointless. She is a woman of intention.
Q: Is there a point in the show when you feel most like Tina?
A: I definitely feel like Tina when I have the big wig on. When you feel the bangs on your forehead, you’re Tina. Tina’s known for the iconic, sweaty look she has when she’s performing. The wig is a big part of that and I fluff it just like she does.
'Tina – The Tina Turner Musical'
When: Sept. 20 through Oct. 2
Where: Citizens Bank Opera House, 539 Washington St., Boston
Tickets: Starting at $49.50
Info: 1-866-870-2717 or https://boston.broadway.com/
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