Louisiana native Meghan Dawson is making waves as she steps into considered one of musical theater’s most demanding roles. The achieved performer, who credit her upbringing surrounded by wealthy musical tradition for sparking her efficiency aspirations, now instructions the stage as Tina Turner within the nationwide tour of “Tina, the Tina Turner Musical.”
Contemporary from her acclaimed performances as Catherine Parr in “Six! The Musical” and having skilled operatically at Louisiana State College, Dawson brings each technical prowess and genuine storytelling to her portrayal of the rock and roll legend. Her journey from the Louisiana bayou to heart stage represents a testomony to the facility of staying true to at least one’s roots whereas reaching for the celebs.
At present charming Chicago audiences, Dawson displays on embodying highly effective girls all through her profession, the challenges of entering into Tina’s iconic footwear and the message of limitless chance she hopes to share with each efficiency.
What does it imply to step into Tina Turner’s footwear on such a large stage, and the way did your journey result in this second?
It’s a blessing. It’s actually a blessing to have the ability to fill the footwear of trailblazers in my profession. My entire profession, I at all times joke, I’ve at all times performed queens. My first queen I did, Queen Catherine Parr; then I used to be doing Aretha Franklin; and now I’m doing the Queen of Rock and Roll, so I’ll joke typically I don’t know what Queen is gonna be subsequent, however I hope she[s] prepared for me.
Tina’s story is crammed with ache, energy, and triumph. What a part of her journey resonates most deeply with your individual expertise as an artist and as a girl?
I believe each as an artist and a girl, we get instructed what we will and may’t do, and who we will and may’t be. All through my very own life and profession, and Tina’s as effectively, there’s at all times simply been that underlying thought of I don’t know the way I’m gonna get there, however I do know what I’ve; and I do know that that may get me there. How? I don’t know. Who’s gonna want to assist me, what instruments I’m gonna want; I don’t know all of that. However the underlying feeling of realizing that what you could have is robust sufficient to battle, to return up towards any kind of factor anyone desires to place towards you to assume you could’t do that, you may’t be this.
Okay, we’ll see. I believe that she was an enormous “we’ll see” kind of individual. Allow us to see what that is gonna be. It’s considered one of my favourite strains within the present; and I do know that very effectively.
You’ve performed highly effective girls like Catherine Parr in Six and now Tina Turner. What attracts you to those roles and the way do you strategy embodying girls who’ve left such a serious cultural influence?
I nearly wish to say I really feel just like the tales are drawn to me, as a result of as an artist, it’s all in regards to the hustle, and I personally don’t sit at residence and say, “Properly, I’ll solely settle for Queen roles,” however in the case of sure issues, while you get the fabric and also you’re in a position to learn the tales and you are able to do your analysis and while you’re in a position to go within the room, it’s simply sure tales and sure individuals that you just attempt it on and also you go, “you understand what? This feels proper, this feels proper.” And once I received the decision to play Tina, there was a wow second; however there was a “Yeah, I’m prepared. I’m prepared.”
You’re proudly from Louisiana and infrequently discuss your group and religion. How have these formed your artistry and the way you present up in your performances?
Authenticity and honesty. I grew up within the nation, very Cajun, very grounded, quite simple; after which [I] flipped to being operatically skilled. My accent not being skilled, and the best way that I naturally was not being skilled; after which [I was] switching again into musical theater the place they needed me. They didn’t need what I used to be taught, so I believe it was refreshing actually to have the ability to reconnect with who I’m. The time that we spent away particularly for the pandemic, I believe that it actually made individuals query, “Who am I once I’m alone and once I’m on my own?” And I believe for lots of people, it made us higher artists, as a result of the one means you may actually dive into who an individual or a personality is, is that if you understand your self by which you discover these parallels. I believe the extra trustworthy I may be, the extra I’m able to step into who Tina was, as a result of she was unapologetically herself; and that’s what made her so likable for everybody. She couldn’t be anyone else, and I’m the identical means.
There’s numerous singing, dancing and appearing concerned. Which was essentially the most difficult a part of this course of for you?
The dancing. I’m not a skilled dancer. I may hit a step, I may hold a groove, however to maintain up with the unbelievable dancers on this present. As a result of when Tina was dancing with the Ikettes it was a mix. A lot of the choreography she made herself. So, although they particularly weren’t skilled on the highest degree of being dancers, they had been tight, and so they made it appear to be we simply got here up with this on the fly, although they had been rehearsing for hours. It regarded natural, and I believe preserving the issues that make it really feel natural is definitely what helps me as not being a skilled individual, to make all of it actually match collectively. And so that you’re not simply sitting there like, “Oh, it is a theater present with skilled dancers.” It appears to be like actual, we convey the realness.
As you journey with this tour and convey Tina’s story to cities throughout the nation, what message do you hope audiences go away with after seeing your efficiency?
There isn’t any ceiling. Actually the quote is “the highest of 1 mountain is the underside of one other,” and I believe the message of Tina’s total story is she by no means stopped climbing. She reached her pinnacle in a while in life, the place she stated, “I believe I’m good. I can relaxation now.” However so far as her profession, so far as self-discovery and all of these issues, she by no means stop attempting issues. She by no means stop enjoying and experimenting, and by no means stopped climbing. There’s no bins, there’s no ceiling.
“Tina, the Tina Turner Musical” runs June 3-8, 2025, on the Cadillac Palace Theater in Chicago as a part of its North American nationwide tour.
