Speaking of belting and dancing, our selection at # 20 on our countdown makes us want to disco. We take you to Boston following the career of one of the most celebrated voices in music history. From the gospel choir to the disco floor…… this is the story of the late and great Summer….. Donna Summer. Featuring more than 20 of her greatest hits, SUMMER also includes a book by Colman Domingo.

From the 2018 NBC telecast, Tony winner LaChanze as “Diva Donna”, Tony nominee Ariana DeBose as “Disco Donna”, Storm Lever as “Duckling Donna”, and the original Broadway cast bring THE PARTY to Herald Square. Here they are performing a medley of 2 beloved Donna Summer anthems….. HOT STUFF and LAST DANCE.

After an early set of development reading and workshop labs, SUMMER: THE DONNA SUMMER MUSICAL made its world premiere debut in San Diego, CA at the La Jolla Playhouse in 2017. It was an instant smash hit running for the holiday season. With the overwhelming response, the show would make its way to the Great Bright Way the following year of 2018. It played Broadway’s Lunt Fontanne Theatre for 27 previews and 288 regular performances. Under the direction of Tony winner Des McAnuff and choreography by Tony winner Sergio Trujullio, it featured an incredible high energy casting celebrating her legacy. Because Donna Summer played a huge part in female empowerment, several people in the late singer’s life that were male were actually played by Females. The cast consisted of…

Tony winner LaChanze as “Diva Donna”,

Tony nominee Ariana Debose as “Disco Donna”,

Storm Lever as “Duckling Donna”,

Aaron Krohn as “Neil Bogart ” and others,

Ken Robinson as “Andrew Gaines”,

Jared Zirilli as “Bruce Sadano”,

Kaleigh Cronin as “Giorgio Moroder” and others,

Mackenzie Bell as “David Geffen” and others,

and more.

Reviews for SUMMER were mixed. However, it did get several Award nominations. It was nominated for 2 Tony Awards for BEST LEADING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL (for LaChanze) and BEST FEATURED ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL (for Ariana Debose). However, they both lost their categories.

With its life after Broadway, SUMMER immediately embarked on a North American National Tour. It originally started with Equity actors. However, the production was abruptly shut down in March 2020 after 2 MONTHS into starting the run due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In May 2020, it was announced the Equity tour was fully cancelled. At the time of the pandemic, that Equity Tour cast was led by….

Dan’yelle Williamson as “Diva Donna”,

Alex Hairston as “Disco Donna”,

Olivia Elease Harvey as “Duckling Donna”,

John Gardiner as “Neil Bogart” and others,

Erick Pinnick as “Andrew Gaines”,

Steven Grant Douglas as “Bruce Sadano”,

Kyli Rae as “Giorgio Moroder” and others,

Brooke Lacy as “David Geffen” and others,

And more.

Despite being shut down, it recently has been revealed that SUMMER will disco back on the road this Summer. However, this will be a brand new company featuring Non-Equity actors. With the tour returning, some of the roles will be gender-swapped again being played by the same gender as well. With Lauren L. Sopon directing (staying true to Des McAnuff’s vision) and Natalie Caruncho choreographing (staying true to Sergio Trujullio’s moves), this new Non Equity cast will be led by….

Brittny Smith as “Diva Donna”,

Charles Michelle Gullage as “Disco Donna”,

Amahri Edwards-Jones as “Duckling Donna”,

Christopher Lewis as “Neil Bogart” and others,

Porter Lee Anderson II as “Andrew Gaines”,

John Guragna as “Bruce Sadano”,

Robert Ayala as “Giorgio Moroder”, “David Geffen” and others,

and more.

The new Non-Equity of SUMMER will begin November 16th, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA before traveling for a whole year to the following cities across North America…..

Utica, NY,

New Brunswick, NJ,

Chattanooga, TN,

Wilmington, DE,

Schenectady, NY,

Lawrence, KS,

Springfield, IL,

St. Paul, MN,

West Palm Beach, FL,

Wilmington, NC,

Charleston, SC,

Waterbury, CT,

Baltimore, MD,

Donna Summer’s real life hometown of Boston, MA,

Nashville, TN,

San Antonio, TX,

Dallas, TX,

and so much more.

SUMMER is also now available for licensing via Broadway Licensing. You can expect to get your disco on with experiencing productions in schools, community, and regional theaters everywhere.

Doesn’t this musical make you wanna party?!!!!!

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