By Amber C. Nore
Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, The Lied Center for Performing Arts, Wednesday October 8, 2025
Last night was one of those nights that I’ll remember for a long, long time. My daughter and I had the privilege of attending the opening night of Tina: The Tina Turner Musical at The Lied Center in Lincoln, Nebraska — and not only was it the start of the Lied’s new season, it was also the opening night of the 2025–2026 North American Tour. After weeks of tech rehearsals in Lincoln, the cast and crew were more than ready, and from the moment the lights went down, the energy in the room was electric.
Let me just start by saying: Darilyn Burtley as Tina Turner was phenomenal. She didn’t just play Tina — she channeled her. This was not a mere impression or imitation; it was a studied, soul-deep performance that captured both the power and vulnerability that made Tina Turner one of the greatest performers of all time. Every note she sang, every flick of her hair, every stomp of her heel radiated confidence, pain, and joy all at once. Her versions of “Proud Mary” and “What’s Love Got to Do with It” absolutely blew me away — they were familiar, yes, but also fiercely personal and alive. And when she sang “We Don’t Need Another Hero,” my favorite Tina song, I felt chills from the first line. Her voice soared through the Lied Center like a force of nature. It was raw, emotional, and triumphant — exactly what that song was meant to be.
The musical itself traces Tina Turner’s life from her early days as Anna-Mae Bullock in Nutbush, Tennessee, through her tumultuous relationship with Ike Turner, her painful personal battles, and finally her extraordinary reinvention as a solo superstar in the 1980s. It’s a story of resilience — one that mirrors Tina’s real-life rise from humble beginnings and personal trauma to global acclaim and creative freedom. The show is packed with her greatest hits, but it’s more than just a concert — it’s a dramatic journey that captures the soul behind the music.
Monty Kane delivered a dynamic and layered performance as Ike Turner — charming and menacing, his presence was magnetic, making the emotional weight of Tina’s story all the more powerful. K. Bernice as Zelma Bullock, Tina’s complicated mother, brought intensity and nuance to every scene. Eva Ruwé’s portrayal of Gran Georgeanna, Tina’s grandmother, was one of my favorite supporting performances of the night — full of warmth and quiet strength. Kyle Channell (Phil Spector), Hans José Mueh (Roger Davies), and Claire Davy as young Anna-Mae each added authenticity and texture, grounding the story in the people who helped (and sometimes hindered) Tina’s rise.
What really stood out to me was how the staging, choreography, and costumes carried the audience through the decades — from the 1950s church pews of Nutbush to the glimmering arenas of Tina’s solo tours. The choreography was fierce, joyful, and full of attitude — an embodiment of Tina’s iconic stage presence. The costumes were absolutely terrific: sparkling, sexy, and full of personality, showing Tina’s evolution from a wide-eyed young singer to the queen of rock ’n’ roll in all her glory. The lighting and sound design were equally impressive, immersing us in each era with color, rhythm, and sheer energy.
And then came the encore — truly, the best I’ve ever seen. The cast came back out with unstoppable energy, turning the Lied Center into what felt like a full-on Tina Turner concert. Everyone was on their feet, clapping, dancing, and singing along. It was joyous, emotional, and exhilarating!
If you go: Tina runs October 8-11, 2025, evenings at 7:30PM ith an additional Saturday Matinee at 2PM. Ticket information at https://www.liedcenter.org.
Amber C. Nore is a singer/actress/writer who has performed locally with Angels Theatre Company, TADA, Pinewood Bowl and Lincoln Community Playhouse and nationally with Spokane Repertory Theatre and Rogue Players. She sings in the band Andy Pappas & Jukebox Gyro, the debut album “Inside Voices” is available on iTunes and Spotify. Her favorite role has been Stage Mom to her daughter, Chloe and Foster Mom to niece, Mars. Amber is the Director of Community Engagement for Big Brothers Big Sisters.
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'Tina – The Tina Turner Musical Opens 2025–2026 North American Tour at The Lied Center' have 2 comments
October 10, 2025 @ 7:39 pm Stephanie R.
Definitely worth seeing but I had a very different reaction to opening night. I agree that the costumes were terrific as was the encore. Some sound glitches, which I’m sure will be worked out, but wildly unimaginative choreography and a lead who looked as though she was praying she would remember her next lines. Opening night jitters?
October 12, 2025 @ 1:03 am Kwakiutl L Dreher
This is a remarkable show! What I absolutely luv’d about it was that Darilyn Burtley made it her own. She did not try to mimic Tina nor to be Tina but she allowed the essence of who Tina was have her due! Two plus hours of a show and her voice stayed strong throughout. It was so evident that the whole cast carried a strong investment in the show and never let up! It was such a marvelous evening. Every piece of choreo was on point!