Cast & Creative
Talent Card Grid
Ari Groover
Tina Turner
ARI GROOVER is excited to be telling the story of Tina once more! Broadway: TINA – The Tina Turner Musical (Alline, Tina U/S) Head Over Heels, Holler If Ya Hear Me. Off-Broadway: Little Shop of Horrors (2020 Lucille Lortel Nominee for Ronnette), Bare The Musical. Choreography: Burn All Night (A.R.T.). Film: In the Heights (Warner Bros.), Spider-Man: Homecoming (Sony). TV: “The Get Down” (Netflix), “Law & Order: SVU.” Ari is a DJ who goes by “Ari Grooves”. www.arigrooves.com
Zurin Villanueva
Tina Turner
Zurin Villanueva (Tina Turner) is thrilled to be taking on the role of the great Tina Turner! originally from Brooklyn, NY. Broadway credits: The Lion King, Mean Girls, Shuffle Along and The Book of Mormon. Regional credits include: Teenage Dick (Woolly Mammoth), Ragtime (Barrington Stage) Ain’t Misbehavin(Crossroads) and Million Dollar Quartet (PCLO). Tv/film: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Insatiable, and the upcoming Murder Mystery 2 on Netflix! She is a proud graduate of Howard University BFA and Laguardia High School for the Performing Arts Drama program. I dedicate this role to my mother, the eternal reinventor, Michele Walker. Follow me on Instagram @zurinspired.
Deon Releford-Lee
Ike Turner
MASHALLAH!!! HBCU Grad, Artist, Food Maker, Rump Shaker and Generational Curse Breaker. Broadway: TINA-The Tina Turner Musical (Ike u/s), Broadway National Tour: Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Drifter) Off-Broadway: The Bandaged Place (Roundabout) Regional: Jelly’s Last Jam (Associate Director/Choreographer/Jelly Standby). Matthew in For The Boys (Slay TV) and Head Producer and Creator of FREE BLACK MILLENNIALS; a production company and podcast. Rest easy to the Queen of soul and rock & roll. Love Always: Love All Ways. @deonsbohemia
Carla R. Stewart
Gran Georgeanna
Carla R Stewart (Gran Georgeanna) is honored to be here as Gran Georgeanna! Stewart is a part of the OBC Tina – The Tina Turner Musical other credits include The Color Purple revival, Ghost, If Pretty Hurts, The Gospel Woman. TV: FBI, Run The World, Wu Tang an American Saga. Stewart is the Proud owner of Nutcho Cheese. Connect: IG: @nutchocheese @mzzzruth Matthew 5:16
Roz White
Zelma Bullock
Roz White (Zelma Bullock); National Tour: Dreamgirls, Regional: Amen Corner (Shakespeare Theater), Seven Guitars (Arena Stage), Marie and Rosetta (Mosaic Theater Company), Bessie’s Blues (Studio Theatre), Crowns (Indiana Rep), Anne and Emmett (MetroStage), Pearl Bailey by Request (Milwaukee Rep), Black Pearl Sings! (Alliance For New Music Theatre). Love to Howard University and Duke Ellington School of the Arts. I love you Mom (RIP) Anthony, and King.
Sarah Bockel
Rhonda
Sarah Bockel is thrilled to be a part of Tina Turner’s incredibly inspiring story. Broadway/ National Tour: Beautiful (Carole King) Regional: Into The Woods (Baker’s Wife,) Paramount Theatre. Beautiful (Carole King,) Ogunquit Playhouse. TV: “The Equalizer.” Love to Dylan and the boys. @debockel
John Battagliese
Erwin Bach, Ensemble
Originally from Philadelphia, John recently was seen as one of the winners of The Kelly Clarkson Show’s Kellyoke Search for the Greatest New Voices in America. National Tours: Cruel Intentions: The 90’s Musical. Las Vegas: BAZ: Starcrossed Love. Regional: The MUNY, The Wallis, Ogunquit Playhouse, and more. On TV he can be seen as a host on QVC +. CCM alum. Love and thanks to Mom and Dad. @thejohnbatt
Daelyanna Kelly Benson
Young Alline/Young Craig
Daelyanna Kelly Benson (u/s Young Alline / Young Craig) is a 12-year-old student at The Debbie Allen Middle School, Los Angeles. Favorite roles played are Nala (The Lion King), Tracy Turnblad (Hairspray); Movies she’s in: Hostile Territory, Separate. Her original music: “Free The Bun,” “Who I Am.” She’s ecstatic to be part of Tina! Love and hugs to her 2 dads, coaches, and Kurt Domoney, Lisa Calli, Pat Goodwin. Follow her @Daelyanna_Daily.
Antonio Beverly
Ronnie/Ensemble/u/s Ike
Antonio Beverly (Ronnie / Ensemble); Tour: A Bronx Tale (Tyrone), Cinderella (Ensemble, Lord Pinkleton/Jean-Michel u/s) Regional: Cinderella (Ensemble) PaperMill Playhouse. Pronouns: They/Them. Insta: @thebeverleigh
Ben Bogen
Swing, Assistant Dance Captain
Broadway: FROZEN (Olaf u/s, Weselton u/s), National Tour: WICKED, JERSEY BOYS (Frankie Valli alternate/asst dance captain). Off Broadway: JERSEY BOYS, ONLY HUMAN. TV: “Pose” season finale. Regional: ACT of CT, PCLO, NC Theatre, Hartford Stage. BFA, University of Michigan. Major gratitude to Brian, Pat, Mom, Dad, and the entire TINA creative team for this opportunity. @benmbogen
KAREN BURTHWRIGHT
Swing, u/s Tina Turner, u/s Rhonda, Dance Captain
Brianna Cameron
Young Anna Mae, u/s Young Alline/Young Craig
Brianna Cameron (Young Anna Mae, u/s Young Alline/Young Craig) is making her Broadway debut in Tina. She is a 4th-grade honor student that is grateful to her family and friends for their love and support. Credits include Lego Broadway Musical, Equalizer, Ziwe, and Jamvan. She is the 2022 first-place winner of Amateur night at the Apollo Theatre.
Andrew Eckert
Swing
Andrew is thrilled to join the TINA tour! National Tours: AN AMERICAN IN PARIS, CHICAGO, MARY POPPINS. Regional: Walnut Street Theatre, NCT, The MUNY, and others. Gratitude to LDC Artist Rep, Telsey & Co., the TINA creative team and my family! @andrewreckert
Amahri Edwards-Jones
Ikette, Ensemble
National Tour: Duckling Donna in Summer: The Donna Summer Musical Australian Tour: Hairspray Regional: Gypsy (Goodspeed), Freaky Friday (Virginia Musical Theatre), Matilda (Virginia Stage Company) All thanks to God, her lovely parents, Bloc, family and friends for their unconditional support!
Gordia Hayes
Swing, u/s Ike
Gordia Hayes (Swing) is a recent grad of Baldwin Wallace University. Regional: Rent, Hair, and Kinky Boots. Endless love to my amazing family, friends, Josh, and Telsey & Co. Luke 1:37
Crystal Joy
Ensemble, u/s Zelma, u/s Gran Georgeanna
MOTOWN the Musical Broadway, HBO’s Vinyl, 1st National tours of MEMPHIS the Musical and Legally Blonde the Musical as well as Hair: The American Tribal Love Rock Musical on the West End. Helen Hayes nominated for the role of “Lorrell Robinson” in Dreamgirls.
SYMPHONY KING
Young Anna-Mae
SYMPHONY KING is based out of Los Angeles, CA but originally from Long Island, NY. Very early, Symphony displayed dynamic gifts in the areas of singing, dancing and performing taking after her musical parents who chose her name to reflect their love story. At the age of 7 she discovered her passion for musical theater, once telling her mom “this is my purpose in life.” She went on to star in local Jaxx Theater as the Genie in Aladdin, and Sandy in Grease Jr. Symphony delights in learning and is a gifted student with a love for architecture, as well as a loving big sister. She also
loves to laugh and be silly. This girl with dreams as big as her voice is excited to embrace this journey and can’t wait to conquer the path that is before her.
Kendall LeShanti
Ikette/Ensemble
Gigi Lewis
Alline/Ikette/Ensemble, u/s Tina
Gigi Lewis began her career in Houston Texas performing in Dancin in the Street Motown Revue. Performances such as Hairspray with Royal Caribbean led her to her current role in TINA – The Tina Turner Musical. She’s elated to join this cast.
Omar Madden
Craig, Ensemble
Omar is grateful to be a new addition to the TINA 1st National Tour family. Omar also sings in corporate bands and performs around the country as a recording artist. Omar thanks DGRW, Telsey Casting, and The TINA Team for this opportunity. @omarmadden
NATALIA NAPPO
Young Alline/Young Craig, u/s Young Anna-Mae
I’m grateful to be making my debut on my 1st national tour! I would love to thank God, my family, friends, Ms. LaFrances, Bonnie, Ms. Sherma, Amelia, DEA Music School and the TINA production for believing in making my dreams a reality.
Nia Nelson-Williams
Swing
Nia Nelson-Williams (Swing): National Tour Debut! Grateful to be working on this production with this beautiful cast! Blessed to have friends and family who support me endlessly! Regional: A Bronx Tale (Frieda), 42nd Street (Ensemble, U/S Peggy Saywer), Footloose (Urleen). IG: @thenialeenw
Terance Reddick
Swing
Terance Reddick (Swing) is a Las Vegas native. Terance made his debut on Broadway in Les Misérables. Performing has always been my passion, being of service is just as important. Teaching and coaching are my ways of paying forward. Follow me @terancereddick on all platforms 4 my latest adventure! “Gods Favor is more precious than Life”.
Shari Washington Rhone
Swing, u/s Zelma, u/s Gran Georgeanna
Shari Washington Rhone (Swing); Principal Dancer at Jazz Antiqua. L.A. company The Lion King. Asst. Dir. Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre. Soloist at Lula Washington Dance Theatre. Choreographer at Disneyland resort. Proud Mary, Bella Donna, Soulicious, & Pam Darden’s Marvelettes Revue. Director Jaxx Theatricals. Love to Dan, Morgan & Mayumi
ERIC SIEGLE
Phil Spector/Ensemble
After his Broadway debut with TINA, Eric is ecstatic to join the tour. Regional: Babes in Arms (Val Lamar), Once (Billy). Proud Baldwin Wallace graduate (Music Theater) and current Berklee College student (Music Production). Much love to his family, friends, and BWA. @ericrsiegle
Brittny Smith
Ikette, Ensemble
Brittny Smith hails from Houston Tx, is founder of a performing arts scholarship & holds a B.A and an M.Ed. Previously: Ain’t Too Proud first national tour, The Donna Summer Musical National Tour (Diva Donna), Dreamgirls International tour, Step Afrika National/international tour, The Color Purple (Regional), Stomp The Yard 2 (film). IG: @BBenai08
Christine Suddeth
Ensemble, u/s Rhonda
National Tour debut! Previously: AIDA Cruises, Drowsy Chaperone (Janet), Seussical (Mayzie LaBird). Proud published vocal research author. Pace MT ‘21. Endless thanks to family, friends, Kacie & my team, Pat & the whole Telsey Company, and, above all, God. @christinesuddeth
Rowan Vickers
John Carpenter, Ensemble
Broadway: Lobby Hero u/s (Second Stage Theater). Off-Broadway: Nat Turner In Jerusalem (New York Theatre Workshop, World Premiere); The Sensuality Party (The New Group, New York Premiere); Picnic, Come Back Little Sheba (Transport Group/Best Revival Drama Desk Nom. for Picnic); Sex Object (The PIT). Regional: Bad Jews (Studio Theatre, DC); The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Santa Cruz Shakespeare); Measure For Measure (Santa Cruz Shakespeare/California Shakespeare Theatre); Macbeth (Stratford Festival, Canada); Peter Pan (The Grand Theatre, Canada). Film/Television: Silo (Apple TV); Instinct (CBS); Mayday (Discovery); Law and Order: SVU (NBC); Labor, Lies And Murder (Lifetime). Training: Juilliard. Endless thanks to Dave and Sarah at Creative Talent Company; all my love to Leigha, Mum, Dad, Erin, and Arden! Follow me on Instagram: @rowan.s.v
Dylan S. Wallach
Roger Davies, Farmer, Ensemble
Broadway: Leopoldstadt, Betrayal. Off-Broadway: Love, Love, Love, Pope. National Tour: Beautiful. Regional: Windfall, Grease. TV/Film: We Crashed, A Spectacular Holiday, Mannies (Creator/Writer). Carnegie Mellon University. Thank you to the creative team and cast. Love to my family, my wife Sarah, and my agents at TalentWorks. @DSWallach
Kristopher Stanley Ward
Richard Bullock/Club Announcer/Ensemble
Kristopher Stanley Ward (Richard Bullock/Club Announcer/Ensemble) is thrilled to be returning to the road! Tours: Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, 1st Nat’l (Drifter), Shrek The Musical, North American (Understudy Donkey). Selected Theatre/NYC Workshops; In The Heights (Oregon Caberet Theatre), Hairspray (TUTS & FST), Xanadu (Stages Repertory Theatre), Sueños: Our American Musical (OSF Workshop & NYC EP). Special thanks to the creative team, casting, Pantera/Murphy The Agency & my Ward Family. Instagram: @iamkristopherward
Gerard M Williams
Raymond/Ensemble
Gerard M Williams (Raymond/Ensemble) Grateful to join the Tina Family, Music Education: Berklee College of Music, Broadway World Regional Nominee for Best actor in a musical. Served as Musical Administrator at The River Church in Durham NC. National Tours: The Color Purple(Grady) My Fair Lady (loverly quartet). Regional shows: Ragtime(Coalhouse)The Scottsboro Boys, Dreamgirls(Wayne/Frank) Jesus Christ Superstar, Assassins (Proprietor), Sister Act. Cruises: Celebrity Cruises Instagram @gmonwilliams
Talent Card Grid
Tina Turner
TINA TURNER. With a career that has spanned more than half a century, the legendary rock performer Tina Turner is one of the world’s best-selling artists of all time. She first rose to fame in the 1960s partnering with her then-husband Ike Turner, achieving great acclaim for their live performances and catalogue of hits. Later, Turner enjoyed an international solo career with her 1984 album Private Dancer earning her widespread recognition and numerous awards including three Grammys. She went on to deliver more chart-topping albums and hits, receiving a further eight Grammy Awards and reportedly selling more concert tickets than any other solo performer in history. The revered singer was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991 and again as a solo artist in 2021. She is often voted as one of the most successful female rock ‘n’ roll artists of all time.
Katori Hall
Book
KATORI HALL (Book) Memphis native Katori Hall is a Pulitzer Prize and Olivier Award-winning playwright. Her works include The Mountaintop, Hurt Village, Our Lady of Kibeho and The Hot Wing King, which premiered in Spring 2020 at the Signature Theatre, rounding out her three-play residency. She is also the creator and EP of the hit TV drama “P-VALLEY,” which will return in 2022. Hall is a proud member of the Ron Brown Scholar Program and the Coca-Cola Scholar Program.
Frank Ketelaar & Kees Prins
Book
FRANK KETELAAR AND KEES PRINS (Book) Playwrights Ketelaar and Prins have enjoyed award-winning success such as the smash hit bio-musical Hij Gelooft in Mij, which ran for three years in Amsterdam. They also collaborated on the Prix Europa and International Emmy Award-winning feature film De Uitverkorene.
Phyllida Lloyd
Director
PHYLLIDA LLOYD (Director) Donmar all-female Shakespeare trilogy (London and St. Ann’s Warehouse), The Taming of the Shrew (The Public Theater at the Delacorte), Mary Stuart (Donmar Warehouse, Apollo and Broadway; Tony nomination), Josephine and I (Bush Theatre/Joe’s Pub). Mamma Mia! (London, Broadway, worldwide), The Ancient Mariner (BAM). Film: Mamma Mia! (Universal), The Iron Lady (Pathe/DJ Films), “Gloriana A Film” (Illuminations, International Emmy), Herself (Element Pictures). Opera: in London, Paris, Copenhagen, Tokyo, Barcelona, Toronto.
Anthony Van Laast
Choreographer
ANTHONY VAN LAAST (Choreographer) Mamma Mia! (worldwide; Dora Mavor Moore Award), Sister Act (worldwide, Olivier nomination), Side Show (Broadway), Bombay Dreams (Tony nomination, Drama Desk nomination), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (worldwide, Olivier nomination), Andrew Lloyd Webber‘s Song and Dance (Green Room Award). Concerts: Cher, Kate Bush, Sarah Brightman. Films: Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, Beauty and the Beast, Mamma Mia!; Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Awarded the CBE by the Queen for services to dance.
Mark Thompson
Set & Costume Designer
Awards/nominations: two Critics Circle Awards, five Olivier Awards and seven Tony Award nominations. Theatre in NYC: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory; The Taming of the Shrew; Mamma Mia!; A Raisin in the Sun (set only); Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat; God of Carnage; Life (x) 3; Bombay Dreams; Art; Follies (set only); La Bête; One Man, Two Guvnors; The Blue Room; Arcadia. Opera at The Met: The Queen of Spades, Macbeth.
NICHOLAS SKILBECK
Original Music Supervision, Arrangements, and Additional Music
Recent work includes Tina (London, Hamburg). Olivier-nominated for his work on Follies. West End Olivier Award-winning productions: Follies, Gypsy, Sweeney Todd, Hairspray and Billy Elliot. Other credits include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (West End, Broadway) and musical director for Kate Bush: Before the Dawn at the Hammersmith Apollo. Compositions: Quand la Guerre Sera Finie. Books: The Singing and Acting Handbook – Games and Exercises for the Performer.
Bruno Poet
Lighting Designer
BRUNO POET (Lighting Design) is an Olivier and Knight of Illumination award-winning lighting designer working throughout the world in theatre, opera, live music, dance and events. Notable New York productions include Bjork’s Cornucopia (The Shed), Akhnaten (Metropolitan Opera), Miss Saigon (Broadway & U.S. tour), Sigur Rós (Radio City Music Hall and Madison Square Garden), Other Stories (City Ballet), Apollo 11 (U.S. tour).
Nevin Steinberg
Sound Designer
NEVIN STEINBERG (Sound Design) Broadway: Hadestown (Tony Award), Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen, The Cher Show, Bandstand, Bright Star, It Shoulda Been You, Mothers and Sons, Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Tony nomination), The Performers, Magic/Bird. Over 30 Broadway productions with Acme Sound Partners and five additional Tony nominations: The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess, Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, Fences, Hair, In the Heights.
Jeff Sugg
Projection Designer
JEFF SUGG (Projection Design) an award-winning and Tony nominated designer with over 20 years in the performing arts. His work ranges from experimental to classical to Broadway. Credits include Broadway: All My Sons, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Sweat, Bring It On, 33 Variations. West End: Tina. Music: Fire in My Mouth (NY Philharmonic), Anthracite Fields (Julia Wolfe’s Pulitzer Prize-winning piece), Prince’s final appearance on “SNL.”
Campbell Young Associates
Hair, Wigs & Make Up Designer
CAMPBELL YOUNG ASSOCIATES (Hair, Wigs & Makeup Design) Broadway: To Kill A Mockingbird; Carousel; Hello, Dolly!; Groundhog Day; Head Over Heels. West End/Broadway: Company, Tina – The Tina Turner Musical (DD Award for Outstanding Wig & Hair Design), A Christmas Carol, The Ferryman, Jerusalem, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, Ghost, Billy Elliot. West End: Back To The Future, Cinderella, Anything Goes, Leopoldstadt. TV: “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” “Downton Abbey.”
Alvin Hough Jr.
Music Director
Broadway: Once On This Island, The Color Purple, Motown, Scandalous. National Tours: Memphis, Dreamgirls. Off-Broadway: Working, Hercules, Big River. TV/Film: “Dear Evan Hansen,” “Pose,” “Tick, Tick,…Boom!”, “Vivo”. Originally from DC, Alvin also has two degrees in meteorology from Harvard and Georgia Tech. He sends love to his wife, Rebecca, and their children, Samuel and Camille. www.alvinhoughjr.com
Ethan Popp
Orchestrator
ETHAN POPP (Orchestrations) 2014 Grammy Award nomination (Motown the Musical), 2013 Tony Award nomination (Motown, Best Orchestrations), 2021 Tony Award nomination (Tina). Theatre: Mrs. Doubtfire, Back to the Future, School of Rock, Hedwig, Rock of Ages, Tarzan, We Will Rock You, Aida, others. Upcoming: Bob Fosse’s Dancin’. Television: “Last Week Tonight,” “Smash,” others. Film: Bohemian Rhapsody, The Greatest Showman. Love to Vanessa and AJP! www.ethanpopp.com
Dani Lee Hutch
Music Director
National Tours: Wicked. Other Credits: SIX (Norwegian Cruise Lines), Scarlet Pimpernel (CLOC), Gentlemen’s Guide (LaComedia). MM in Music Direction for Theatre (ASU). Much love to Mom, Dad, and Mr. Bennet! Soli Deo Gloria.
THE TELSEY OFFICE
Casting
THE TELSEY OFFICE (Casting) With offices in both New York and Los Angeles, The Telsey Office casts for theater, film, television, and commercials. The Telsey Office is dedicated to creating safe, equitable, and anti-racist spaces through collaboration, artistry, heart, accountability, and advocacy.
Stacy N. Taylor
Production Stage Manager
STAGE ENTERTAINMENT
Producer
STAGE ENTERTAINMENT (Producer), founded in 1998 and attracting 7 million visitors in 2019, is a first-class theatrical production company focusing on musical theatre in Europe. It owns and operates a network of 16 theatres where it produces some of the best-known musicals titles developed by international partners and its creative teams, such as The Lion King, Mamma Mia! and Aladdin. Stage Entertainment also creates original own premium content, such as Anastasia and ‘TINA’. The company operates in the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, on West End in London, UK and on Broadway in New York, US. For more information: www.stage-entertainment.com
TALI PELMAN
Producer
TALI PELMAN (Producer) is Group Creative Managing Director for Stage Entertainment, responsible for its creative and original content globally across the group and producing a new development slate, of which TINA – The Tina Turner Musical is the first international title to enter production. Tali joined Stage Entertainment following more than a decade of producing plays and musicals in the West End and on Broadway independently and as producer for the Ambassador Theatre Group. A special thank you to my husband and our children, Orion and Anouk.
JAMES L. NEDERLANDER
Producer
JAMES L. NEDERLANDER President of Nederlander Organization, and son of the late James M. Nederlander. Broadway: To Kill a Mockingbird; The Band’s Visit; Mean Girls; My Fair Lady; Escape to Margaritaville; On Your Feet!; The Humans; Meteor Shower; The Elephant Man starring Bradley Cooper; I’ll Eat You Last starring Bette Midler; Kinky Boots; West Side Story; Next to Normal; The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee; Movin’ Out; as well as many others. Mr. Nederlander has also promoted hundreds of concerts, from Adele to Robin Williams, Billy Joel, U2, and Pink Floyd.