The musical "Tina" tells of the rise and fall and rise of singer Tina Turner. I was able to enjoy the Saturday evening show at London's Aldwych Theatre.

Few stars have had the second act of Tina Turner. Turner rose to prominence fronting The Ike and Tina Turner Review with her husband, Ike. With hits like "Nutbush City Limit" and "Proud Mary," Tina established herself as a force in soul and R&B music throughout the 1960s and 1970s.

Sadly, the singer suffered abuse at the hands of her husband. Her career floundered when she divorced him, and his lawsuits prevented her from performing any of the songs they recorded together.

"Tina" relates her story beginning with Ike Turner recruiting a star-struck teenager named  Anna Mae Bullock to sing in his band, marry him, and change her name to Tina Turner. As her husband's drug abuse and violence increased, Tina remained submissive for too long. Finally, she took action, escaping from an abusive marriage, knowing the financial hardship this decision would place on herself and her children.
Her comeback began in 1984 when Capital Records released the "Private Dancer" album, which included her #1 hit single "What's Love Got To Do With It."

We hear her story through her music as it evolved over the years.

Rolan Bell is excellent as the villain Ike. We see his fall and an attempt at redemption later in life. Despite limited stage time, tiny Azaela Harris stole the show each time she appeared as young Anna-Mae. But the evening belonged to Zoe Birkett, who brought the title character to life. Her evolution as she took control of her life is impressive and believable. And when she sang, it felt like watching the Queen of Rock & Roll herself.

After the final bows, Birkett stepped to the front of the stage to perform two of Tina Turner's hits in full character, including a wig with The Queen of Rock & Roll's well-known spiked haircut.

I missed my chance to see Tina Turner years ago when she performed a concert for attendees of the TechEd conference in New Orleans. I skipped the concert to fly home for my son's high school commencement. Ms. Turner passed away in 2023, denying me any opportunity to see her in person.

This night was a good consolation for missing seeing the Queen of Rock & Roll in person.