"Tina: The Tina Turner Musical" turns up the volume, tells the singer's story along the way

Each week, GBH Executive Arts Editor Jared Bowen joins Morning Edition to dive into what’s new in arts in and around Boston. This week, we feature two local productions and the return of the Boston Public Library's special collections.

Tina: The Tina Turner Musical

Now playing at the Citizens Bank Opera House through Oct. 2

This jukebox musical follows the life story of the legendary Tina Turner, from her childhood in Nutbush, Tennessee, through her time in Europe, to today. After spending some time in London, "Tina: The Tina Turner Musical" just opened in Boston this week as part of a national tour.

As Bowen describes, “Turner has this extraordinary story to tell,” and "Tina" is an attempt at telling that story, in addition to Turner’s recent documentary, tour, and book. The issue, Bowen elaborates, with "Tina" is the heavy emphasis on Turner’s relationship with Ike Turner, who “gets too much space in this musical” considering the abuse he inflicted upon Tina throughout their relationship. Turner’s story shines through in the details, from her upbringing in the segregated South to her Buddhist beliefs to the musical’s closing concert, which “ultimately does work” in the musical.

Fabulation: Or, the Re-education of Undine

Now playing at the Lyric Stage Company through Oct. 9

In Lynn Nottage’s "Fabulation," protagonist Undine’s pristine life as a boutique PR firm owner in New York comes quickly undone. She’s forced to return home to a family that she’s spent years attempting to leave behind. Described as a “comedy of manners set in the present day,” "Fabulation" incorporates nods to novelist Edith Wharton’s “Customer of the Country”.

Bowen calls the production “wickedly funny,” with “so much heart as we watch Undine go through this journey home and become acquainted with the way she is.” Grappling with notions of home, what it means to go home, and what happens when you have to return home, "Fabulation" serves as both a question and criticism of societal expectations.

This is a photo from the local production of "Fabulation ,or the Re-Education of Undine." In this photo, the lead character Undine, stands at the edge of the stage. She is wearing a red multi-tiered top over black leggings with pointy black ankle boots. at the back of the stage is a desk and a chair. The set design is minimal, with a floor patterned with black and white stripes and cross-hatching, the backdrop to the stage is the same pattern.
Lyndsay Allyn Cox as Undine.
Mark S. Howard Lyric Stage Company of Boston

BPL Special Collections

On view at the Boston Public Library

The Boston Public Library recently reopened its special collections department to the public for all pursuits — be those academic research or just to drop by during a lunch break. The collection is what Bowen calls “one of the greatest holdings in this country outside of New York,” with thousands of items ranging from a first Shakespeare folio to Frederick Douglass’s The Liberator.

The shelving for the collection spans close to seven miles, and the reopening comes after a multi-year renovation totalling almost $16 million. Any member of the community is welcome to make an appointment and experience the historic documents firsthand.

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu is at the Boston Public Library special collections department. In this photo she is standing between two rows of shelving, which appear to contain several old books and manuscripts. She is smiling as she takes in the volume of materials.
The Boston Public Library's special collections department is open to the public after completeing a years-long renovation. Mayor Michelle Wu was there for the ribbon-cutting.
Aram Boghosian Boston Public Library