The Donna Summer Musical Tickets

The Creative Team

A tribute to the undisputed Queen of Disco, Summer: The Donna Summer Musical not just explores the songstress place in pop- dance culture but also delves into her personal life. Donna Summer was a lot more than a hit-maker – she was a showstopper, a stunning live performer and a brilliant conceptualist.

Des McAnuff has proven himself as an ace director through his work on the blockbuster musical “The Jersey Boys”. In Donna Summer Musical he once again brings in a groundbreaking approach, presenting no frills, post modern sets and a killer song-list that’s well incorporated into the plot.

The combined efforts of Colman Domingo, Des McAnuff and Robert Cary make the book of Summer: The Donna Summer Musical compelling. The trio has perfectly presented Donna Summer as the dynamic and strong advocate for women, thus casting a predominantly all-female ensemble that plays both the roles of women and most of the men.

Sergio Trujillo impresses with his choreography that’s a blend of both thrilling and graceful moves. The dance numbers are boosted by a live five-piece band led by the music director Victoria Theodore. Gareth Owen’s sound design raises the acts well above a regular jukebox musical.

Robert Brill shines as the scenic designer. His aesthetics have been spot on as he’s come up with a lustrous stage design that easily floats in and out depending on the act. Paul Tazewell’s costumes are extravagant and he has beautifully incorporated Summer’s puffed-up ball gowns into the show as they’ve always been part of her dressing.  

The Performances

Summer: The Donna Summer Musical has casted three leading females to play Donna Summer in three different stages of her life. The Tony Award winning actress (The Color Purple), LaChanze steps in as the “Diva Donna”, when the songstress was in her prime. She does complete justice to the role as an assured, rafters-raising veteran.

Ariana DeBose established herself as a seasoned actress with her roles in Hamilton, Bring it On the Musical and Motown the Musical. As the “Disco Donna” she presents a vulnerable side of the late singer highlighting her anguished midlife and nervy personality.

Storm Lever will be making her Broadway debut when the musical lifts its curtains at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. The “Duckling Donna” has stunned many with her subtle yet powerful performance and she’s likely to go places after the show.

The lead cast also includes Aaron Krohn playing the role of Neil Bogart, Ken Robinson as Andrew Gaines and Jared Zirilli stepping in as Bruce Sudano.

The Critics Verdict

Unfortunately, Summer: The Donna Summer Musical opened to mixed reviews that were tilted more on the “could do better” side. The story is there, the characters are so strong they are every actors dream and the music – well it has won awards. But somehow, Domingo, McAnuff and Cary couldn’t quite capture the magic of it all and translate it on to the stage.

The story traces Donna Summer’s rise from the church choirs in Boston to her casting in the overseas touring ensemble of “Hair”. Along the way she meets new friends, marries the actor Helmuth Somme and gets acquainted with the ‘Father of Disco’ Giorgio Moroder. Together they produced chat-busting albums and hit tracks like “Love to Love You Baby”, “I Fee Love”, “Could it Be Magic” and “Bad Girls”.

What the musical lacks in substance, in terms of its content, it makes up for with its scenic design and costumes. Perhaps the Broadway version will hit the stage after making some considerable changes. Despite the missteps, Summer: The Donna Summer Musical has a lot going in its favor and it has spurred the sales of The Donna Summer Musical tickets. So far, the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre has announced an open-ended run.