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What If: What’s Love Got To Do With It — The Musical

Andrew Shade
By Andrew Shade

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What if…”What’s Love Got To Do With It,” the 1993 movie based on the life of Tina Turner, was adapted into a musical?

TIna TurnerPicture this. You’re seated in a Broadway theatre and, all of a sudden, “This Little Light of Mine” is sung by a beautiful choir. The spotlight then focuses on a spunky and sprightly little girl, Anna Mae (later known as the one and only Tina Turner), belting notes and dancing in a way that isn’t exactly appropriate in church. Soon after, the church grandmother calls her out. And thus begins our journey into the sensational world of the iconic Tina Turner.

“What’s Love Got To Do With It” is a semi-autobiographical account of Tina Turner, adapted from the book she co-wrote with Kurt Loder entitled “I, Tina.” The story details Turner’s life from her humble beginnings as the fiery member of her small Tennessee hometown church choir to the stylish, admired, and fiercely talented legend she came to be. In the midst of all of the success in music that she achieves, the film and book also highlight her tumultuous, volatile, and abusive relationship with her partner, Ike Turner.

The film enjoyed a good bit of success, the most notable being Academy Award nominations in the Best Actress and Best Actor categories for Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne, who portrayed Tina and Ike Turner. Both actors have also graced the Broadway stage on more than one occasion. Bassett was last seen in Katori Hall‘s The Mountaintop alongside Samuel L. Jackson. She made her Broadway debut in August Wilson‘s Joe Turner’s Come & Gone. Fishburne won a Tony Award for his Broadway debut in August Wilson’s Two Trains Running. He was last seen on the Broadway stage in Thurgood, a solo show about the life of Thurgood Marshall.

But let’s return to this proposed musical adaptation. Imagine the lights and flash. Think Dreamgirls where the show is seamlessly weaving Ike and Tina’s stylized and sparkly performances with all of the backstage drama that helps to drive the story along. The musical would, of course, use all of Ike and Tina’s original songs, from the classic “Proud Mary” to the fun “Shake” to, finally, the emotionally-charged titular song, “What’s Love Got To Do With It?”

Comment below with your opinions on What’s Love Got To Do With It, the musical, and share your possible dream cast!

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Andrew Shade
Andrew Shade
Drew Shade is a visionary creative force at the intersection of Black theatre, media, and culture. As the Founder and Creative Director of Broadway Black, Off-Book: The Podcast, and The Antonyo Awards, he champions artistic excellence and amplifies the voices of Black theatre artists with intention, heart, and unapologetic pride. His work has been featured in The New York Times, Playbill, Deadline, The Observer, and Apple TV’s Dear…, and he's collaborated with brands and institutions such as NBC, BET, Audible, Universal Pictures, SheaMoisture, The Public Theater, Signature Theatre, National Black Theatre, and more. He has also served as a cultural consultant and curator for countless Broadway productions for over a decade — establishing himself as a trusted voice and tastemaker in theatre and media. In addition to his work behind the scenes, Shade is a performer and creative artist in his own right, with credits including Classical Theatre of Harlem’s The First Noel at The Apollo, The Preacher’s Wife musical at The Alliance Theatre, and a Sondheim tribute concert at Carnegie Hall led by Tituss Burgess. He’s also lent his voice to campaigns for Google and continues to explore visual storytelling through photography — from red carpets to press coverage. Rooted in joy, justice, and the belief that Black theatre is both legacy and revolution, Shade continues to build platforms and shine light where it’s long been overdue — so Black artists are seen, heard, and celebrated on their own terms. “Have a belief in yourself that is bigger than anyone’s disbelief.” – August Wilson

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3 COMMENTS

  2. […] Regardless of our language barrier, we want to shout to the mountaintop that we are psyched at the possibility of a Turner project. Ms. Turner’s life is poised to be set to music and dance. It was made for the stage, and we are still jonzing from What’s Love Got to Do With It. […]

  3. It would be an absoloute honor! Please forward all casting inquiries and information via my email. Kindly please and Thank you! #GnomiGre #WhoIsGnomiGre #Get2Gnomi ✌

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