The Off-Broadway show, inspired by Turner's autobiography "I, Tina," had its world premiere at The Sharp (within the Playwrights Horizons complex) Jan. 20-Feb. 4.
Directed and choreographed by Gabrielle Lansner, River Deep has an original score by Philip Hamilton and a book adapted by Lansner from the best-seller, "I, Tina," which was written in collaboration with Kurt Loder.
Tina Turner's famous songs are not part of the score, but the choreography conjures the moves of the tireless pop icon. Performances continue to July 29.
River Deep "is a musical homage to a contemporary icon who is an inspiration for personal change," according to production notes. "Through the original score, choreography, multi-media visual design and Turner's own words, River Deep celebrates Ms. Turner's life story, evoking the tremendous energy and depth of her musical performances and her journey of struggle, survival and renewal."
The cast includes Pat Hall as Turner, and Erica Bowen, Zainab Jah, Heather Lind and Paula McGonagle. River Deep has scenic design by Dean Taucher, costume design by Liz Prince and lighting design by Jim French, and projections featuring original images by photographer Stephanie Berger.
The Peter Jay Sharp Theatre is at 416 West 42nd Street. The performance schedule is Tuesday through Saturday at 8 PM, with a matinee Saturdays at 2 PM.
Tickets are $35 and are now available by calling Ticket Central at (212) 279-4200 or online at www.ticketcentral.com.
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Gabrielle Lansner (director, choreographer, book adaptation) has had a career as a choreographer, dancer, director and actor. Her professional career began in the '70s when she became an associate member and performer with the Wooster Group. She toured in Spalding Gray's autobiographical trilogy Three Places in Rhode Island, in Amsterdam as well as New York engagements. Other credits include performing in Meredith Monk's Quarry at BAM and work with numerous dance companies including Charles Moulton, Wendy Perron and Susan Rethorst. In 1980, Lansner formed Gabrielle Lansner & Dancers, and the company performed to critical acclaim from 1980-1987 at P.S. 122, St. Mark's Church, the Ethnic Folk Art Center, the Cunningham Studio and The DIA Art Foundation.
In 1987, Lansner began a concentrated period of work in the theatre, working in classical and experimental theatrical genres. Credits include work with Shakespeare & Company in Lenox, MA, The Milwaukee Repertory Company, Target Margin, the Tiny Mythic Theater Company, Ping Chong, and more.
Musical theatre credits include choreography for Paul Scott Goodman's Him & Her at the 2002 New York International Fringe Festival and for Nancy Magarill's musical The Boy with the Glasses at New York Theater Workshop. She is an original founding member of P.S. 122.
For more information, visit www.gabriellelansner.com.
Composer Philip Hamilton is a contemporary composer of music for dance, and a recipient of the 2004 New York Dance and Performance Award (Bessie) for his Body of Work in dance. He has work with leading choreographers, including Ron Brown, Rennie Harris, Dwight Rhoden, David Dorfman, Robert Battle and Ann Reinking. He penned the musical composition for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's latest ballet, Acceptance and Surrender (December 2005 at City Center and currently part of the company's world tour schedule).
For music and more, visit www.Philiphamilton.com.
