by Lorie Lewis Ham

Fresno Lexus Broadway in Fresno is presenting Tina: The Tina Turner Musical at the Saroyan Theatre May 12-13. Recently, KRL had the opportunity to interview cast member Sterling Baker-McClary who plays Ike Turner.

KRL: Where are you from?

Sterling: Atlanta, Ga. Cobb County to be specific lol. Where I’m from we call it “NorfSide” because you always had to take 75 north to get back to my house from anything.

KRL: When did you first become interested in acting?

Sterling: I first became interested in acting after seeing Jamie Foxx as Ray Charles. Truly sparked a fire that turned into a burning passion.

KRL What was the first role that you ever played?

Sterling: The first role I ever played was Ruben in my high school production of Joseph and the Technicolor Dream Coat.

KRL: What are some of the roles you have played professionally?

Sterling: Some other roles that I’ve played professionally are Marty the Zebra in the national tour of Madagascar The Musical, Ren McCormick in Footloose and Nomax in Five Guys Named Moe.

KRL: Why did you want to play this role?

Sterling: I wanted to play this role because I felt it was an opportunity to stretch artistically. It presented a beautiful challenge on so many levels, to have to portray this dark personality and antagonist. To not rely on my “go to weapons” in my dance/tumbling abilities or not singing tenor. It just gave me a chance to prove to myself that I could still be a true triple threat even when the ratio has to be recalibrated.

KRL: Can you share a little bit about the character for those not familiar with the show?

Sterling: Ike Turner was the underground pioneer of what is now known as rock and roll. One of the first major artists during the late 1940s and in the 1950s. So, when the audience is introduced to him in the show, he is a true star amongst the community. He’s the one who gives Tina the opportunity to sing and even gives her the name Tina Turner, but you later learn through the show that he can be very controlling and a bit of a tyrant on and off stage. He’s pivotal to the show though because the hardship he brings into Tina’s life ultimately becomes his strongest weapon.

KRL: Were you a fan of the show before you were cast?

Sterling: Yes! Absolute fan of the show, I had a few friends in the original Broadway production and on the first tour.

KRL: What do you like best about playing this role?

Sterling: I think what I love most about the role is bringing humanism and vulnerability to a character who (rightfully so) has a negative and villainized perception on them. To have the audience feel for, be charmed by , empathize with Ike on the good and emotional moments just as much as they react to the bad things that Ike does. Have the audience get a glimpse of what Tina feels.

KRL: What has been the biggest challenge in playing this role?

Sterling: One of the biggest challenges I had with the role early on was the journey of discovery emotionally. I wanted to make sure that I didn’t get “too into the character” to where I couldn’t keep my emotional and mental in check. We’re all good now!

KRL: What have you done to prepare for this role?

Sterling: Preparing for this role took a lot of background research on Ike Turner the musician and man. Watching lots of interviews and reading memoirs to really be able to embody this actual man not a character. Watching Lawerence Fishburne’s performance in What’s Love Got To Do With It to see what traits were uncompromisable and where I had actual room to create. Doing research on the time and place of where he was raised to make my artistic toolbox that holds the choices for my diction of mannerisms as concise as possible. Just really doing the work to really transform entirely in stage

KRL: What do you like best about this show?

Sterling: My favorite thing about this show is that it’s a real raw story. It’s not sugar coated, no punches are pulled, and the audience gets to see the daily struggles that aren’t just racial so EVERYONE can relate with this black moment, the highs just as much as the lows.

KRL: What is a typical day like for you while in this touring show?

Sterling: A typical show day for me starts with a 9 am workout followed by another nap lol. Wake up around 1 and answer any emails I may have then I’m on the PlayStation until about 5. Now from 5 to about 6:40 I’m listening to straight jazz music, instruments only to clear the mind and create a blank canvas. During that time, I head to the theater for physical therapy and my warmup. Do fight call with Tina and after fight call, we are just listening to gangster rap and getting in villain mode.

KRL: Anything else you would like to share?

Sterling: The show is beautiful, and I can’t wait for everyone to see it and for anyone who wants to support encourage or cultivate my artistry please follow me @flash_baker on Instagram and stream all Flash Baker music any and everywhere. #SUPPORTTHEARTS

STERLING BAKER-MCCLARY(Ike Turner) bio: As a graduate of Center of excellence in Performing Arts Magnet program at Pebblebrook High School, Sterling McClary is bonafideArts enthusiast, a trained dancer in over 7 various dance styles as well as training vocally and dramatically in commercial and musical theater techniques, granting him the opportunity to perform in various venues Around the countries and cruise ships just recently finished the National tour of Madagascar The Musicalas Marty The Zebra. From choreography to teaching, to casting and coaching and even recording music, Sterling has experienced entertainment at every level and has more often than not been on the right side of quality. @Flash_baker

Tickets for Tina are available at BroadwayinFresno.com, in person at the Fresno Entertainment and Convention Center Box Office, or by calling 800.745.3000. It will be performed at Saroyan Theatre, 730 M Street Fresno, CA.

Check out more local entertainment articles in our Arts & Entertainment section. And don’t miss out on Mysteryrat’s Maze Podcast where we feature mystery stories read by local actors!

Lorie Lewis Ham is our Editor-in-Chief and a contributor to various sections, coupling her journalism experience with her connection to the literary and entertainment worlds. Explore Lorie’s mystery writing at Mysteryrat’s Closet. Lorie’s latest mystery series is the Tower District Mystery Series. Both books, One of Us and One of You, are set in the Tower District of Fresno and the world of community theatre!