Nkeki Obi-Melekwe and Ashley Zhangazha to star as the next Tina Turner and Ike Turner in TINA – The Tina Turner Musical

### The second cast of TINA – The Tina Turner Musical Beginning 15 April 2019, iconic pop legend Tina Turner will be portrayed by Nkeki Obi-Melekwe, effectively replacing American actress Adrienne Warren, who recently recorded and released the cast album's first single, 'River Deep – Mountain High'. Tina Turner's husband, Ike Turner, will be portrayed by Ashley Zhangazha, replacing Kobna Holdbrook-Smith's acclaimed run. Warren and Holdbrook-Smith will both continue in their roles until 13 April 2019. The role of Tina Turner marks Nkeki Obi-Melekwe's West End stage debut just a month after the actress made her Broadway stage debut in Alice by Heart at the Robert W. Wilson MCC Theater Space. Obi-Melekwe's prior television credits include *Bull* on CBS and *Smilf* on Showtime. Her appearance in TINA is supported by UK Equity, which incorporates the Variety Artistes' Federation as per an exchange program between UK Equity and American Equity, Ashley Zhangazha last appeared in the Manchester Royal Exchange productions of *Death of a Salesman*, *Hamlet,* and *Guys and Dolls*, the latter of which earned him a 2018 UK Theatre Award for Best Performance in a Musical. He also notably won an Ian Charleson Award for his role in *Macbeth* at the Sheffield Crucible. Adrienne Warren's departure from the West End production does not mean the end of her portraying Tina Turner, as the actress has been confirmed to be leading the Broadway transfer this autumn. **Aisha Jawando** is set to play Tina Turner at various performances each week. ### Also starring in *TINA – The Tina Turner Musical* Other second-year cast members include **Edward Bourne** as the record company Marketing Manager Erwin Bach, **Howard Gossington** as Record Producer Phil Spector and Lyricist Terry Britten, **Irene-Myrtle Forrester** as Tina's Grandmother, **Jammy Kasongo** as Tina's father Richard Bullock and Tina's first love Raymond Hill, **Francesca Jackson** as Tina and Ike's manager Rhonda Graam, and **Oscar Batterham** as Tina's manager Roger Davies. **Maria Omakinwa** will join the cast to play Zelma, Tina's mother, until 22 June 2019 when **Madeline Appiah** will rejoin the company to once again take on the role. Featuring in the ensemble are **Ashlee Irish**, who also plays Tina’s son Ronnie, and **Cameron Bernard Jones**, who also plays Tina’s son Craig, followed by ensemble members **Chloe Chambers**, **Daniella Bowen**, **Joelle Dyson**, **Joseph Richardson**, **Kibong Tanji, Lejaun Sheppard**, and **Sia Kiwa**. Swings include **Amandla Elynah**, **Angela Marie Hurst**, **Derek Aidoo**, **Gavin Alex**, **Hannah Jay-Allan**, **Joshua Da Costa**, **Leisha** **Mollyneaux** and **Samuel J. Weir**. ### What they're saying about the *Tina Turner* musical With German premiere at the Stage Operettenhaus in Hamburg next month and a Broadway premiere slated for autumn 2019, there's a reason why *TINA – The Tina Turner Musical* is slowly becoming a global phenomenon. Ever since the show opened in the West End last April, the show has received a fleet of five-star reviews. It was [**recently reviewed by our blogger Harrison Fuller**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/news/london-theatre-review-tina-the-tina-turner-musical-at-the-aldwych-theatre), who called it '*a good fun night in the theatre*' and praised the show's soundtrack as '*full of soul, catchy tunes and energy.*' Here's to another successful year of *TINA*! 🍾 ## Book *Tina Turner* musical tickets from £26 for select performances! London *Tina Turner* tickets are among the most sought-after tickets in the West End this year! Don't miss your last chance to see Adrienne Warren bring the house down at the [**Aldwych**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/18/aldwych-theatre.aspx) before the new cast takes over 15 April! [**Book tickets to the Tina Turner musical at the Aldwych Theatre for as low as **](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/2589/tina-the-tina-turner-musical-tickets.aspx)[**£26**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/2589/tina-the-tina-turner-musical-tickets.aspx).