In 2017, actress Darilyn Burtley was living in Chelsea and working in Beacon Hill. Every day she would walk past the glittering marquee at the Emerson Colonial Theatre, dreaming of performing on that stage. Eight years later, that dream has come true. This month, Burtley will star there as the “Queen of Rock ‘n Roll” in “TINA: The Tina Turner Musical.”

Written by Pulitzer Prize winner Katori Hall with Frank Ketelaar and Kees Prins, “TINA” is a biographic musical telling the story of the singer’s life alongside performances of her greatest hits.

Turner’s music was a staple in Burtley’s household growing up. “I sang with my two older sisters in a Christian girl group when we were kids and teenagers, but I remember us being 4, 5, 6 and trying to imitate the “Proud Mary” dance,” she said. “I have very fond memories of that in particular.”

Now, Burtley does that same “Proud Mary” dance, glitzed up for the Broadway stage, every night in front of audiences across the country.

Turner is known for her powerhouse tracks, like “What’s Love Got to Do with It,” “The Best” and “River Deep, Mountain High.” Burtley says she particularly loves the glam costumes in “Disco Inferno” and the deep vocals she performs in “I Don’t Wanna Fight.”

Turner’s life wasn’t easy.

“TINA” doesn’t shy away from the traumas and challenges Turner faced, including an abusive relationship with her husband and musical partner Ike Turner (played by Monty Kane), drug use, racism and later, single parenthood.

Despite these intense hurdles, Turner became one of the world’s best-selling artists of all time. She won 12 Grammy Awards and sold more concert tickets than any other solo performer in music history. She was the first Black artist and the first woman to be on the cover of “Rolling Stone” and she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice.

“I think Katori Hall, the Pulitzer Prize winning writer, was great at juxtaposing the trauma with joy. …You will laugh more than you will cry,” said Burtley. “That’s ultimately the story of Tina, triumph and joy.”

“TINA” runs at the Emerson Colonial Theatre Oct. 24-26. Tickets start at $57.

Burtley hopes that audiences are inspired, not only by the spectacular music, but by Turner’s story. She hopes that seeing Turner overcome such incredible odds will resonate with viewers, especially women, who have experienced partner abuse or encountered setbacks due to their race and gender.

“I hope people leave the performance believing in themselves, knowing that they are worth fighting for,” Burtley said.

ON THE WEB

Learn more at emersoncolonialtheatre.com/events/tina