On Thursday, May 15, “Tina – The Tina Turner Musical,” comes to Popejoy Hall. The musical is a Broadway in New Mexico selection; it tells the story of a woman who breaks through barriers of racism and sexism to rise and become the “Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll.”
The musical celebrates the comeback story of adversity and rising against the odds. Turner ultimately won 12 Grammy Awards, and held live shows with millions of viewers and more concert tickets sold than any other solo performer in music history, according to the Popejoy website.
According to Popejoy, the musical is written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Katori Hall, and features many of Turner’s original songs.
Sterling Baker-McClary plays the role of Ike Turner in the musical, and said he has been touring with the musical since mid-August last year.
“You have to portray someone who is very dark and villainous, because for those people who may not know the story of Ike and Tina, he was an abuser,” Baker-McClary said. “There would be times where you'll see in the show where I actually, not really, but he would hit Tina multiple times, and he would do drugs and it is just a very complex character, and he goes through a range of emotions.”
Becker-McClary said that he enjoys working with the lead actresses who interchangeably play Tina Turner, Jayna Elise and Meghan Dawson.
“They are just phenomenal actors within their own right, they are powerhouses,” Becker-McClary said. “It's just so much fun to watch them go through that journey and be able to interact with them on stage.”
Before coming to Popejoy, the musical has toured in Hawaii, Canada, Florida, Texas, New Jersey and Iowa among others.
“Performing will just be able to take you anywhere in the world, and I think that's one of the biggest things that I appreciate from it, being able to use my talent has gotten me to so many places I would have never imagined,” Baker-McClary said.
He has been to Albuquerque when he was touring for “Madagascar,” playing the role of Marty, the zebra, Baker-McClary said.
“I love Albuquerque, I'm a ‘Breaking Bad fan’, I'm a taco fanatic,” he said. “Albuquerque is always going to have a special place in my heart, so when we get there, you all will be seeing a lot of me out in the city.”
Baker-McClary said that they have had great audience reception throughout the tour.
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“They boo me a lot of the time, which makes me know that they love it,” he said. “It's okay to react, scream, be shocked, gasp and things of this nature, we want to feel that as actors, we want to feel and see you all having a good time.”
The musical will be at Popejoy from May 15 to May 18.
“Thank you all so much, Albuquerque, for letting us come out there, you know, make sure that you get your tickets, and we really can't wait to see you.” Baker-McClary said.
Leila Chapa is the social media editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at socialmedia@dailylobo.com or on X @lchapa06
Leila Chapa is the social media editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at socialmedia@dailylobo.com or on X @lchapa06
