Former 'American Idol' contestant announced as lead role in State Theatre musical show

EASTON, Pa. — A musical play that tells the story of Queen of Rock 'n' Roll Tina Turner, coming to Easton's State Theatre in October, will star a former "American Idol" contestant, it was announced.

Jayna Elise, who auditioned on "Idol" in both Season 21 in 2023 and Season 22 the past spring, recently was chosen for the role of Turner in Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, according to a release from BOND Theatrical, the company presenting the show.

The release says "the tour will hold technical rehearsals at the State Theatre in Springfield, Ohio, and launch at EJ Thomas Hall in Akron, Ohio, on Sept. 24, and go on to visit over 60 cities."

Easton's State Theatre will be the third stop on the tour.

Tina: The Tina Turner Musical will perform at State Theatre 7 p.m. Oct. 1 and Oct. 2. Tickets, at $69-$109, are on sale now.

The theater describes the show as "The story of the Queen of Rock and Roll set to a soundtrack of her most beloved hits. The show is recommended for ages 14 and older."

Success on 'American Idol'

Elise's appearance on Season 21 of "Idol" was limited to her audition in Las Vegas, where she sang Queen's "Who Wants to Live Forever," and got "yes" votes from all three judges.

She then was shown performing in a trio in the show's Hollywood round, but eliminated before the Top 32 were chosen.

In this past season, Elise auditioned in Los Angeles singing Miley Cyrus's "The Climb" and again got three judges' "yes" votes.

This time, she made it through six rounds — progressing all the way to the Top 12 — before she was eliminated after singing Rihanna's "Diamonds."

Before that, when she was 14, under the name Jayna Brown, she was a contestant on TV's "America's Got Talent" and made it to the semifinals.

In 2014, she also performed as a Kidz Bop Kid, the children's music group that performed family-friendly covers of pop songs, and was featured on the album "Kidz Bop 26."