Summer: The Donna Summer Musical is a jukebox musical with book by Colman Domingo, Robert Cary, and Des McAnuff and music and lyrics Donna Summer, Giorgio Moroder, Pete Bellotte, Paul Jabara, and others, based on the life of Summer.
The musical made its premiere at the La Jolla Playhouse in November 2017 and opened on Broadway in April 2018.
Productions The La Jolla Playhouse presented the musical in a limited engagement from November 7 until December 24, 2017.
The musical premiered on Broadway at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on March 28, 2018 (previews), prior to an April 23, 2018 opening. The musical is directed by Des McAnuff, with scenic design by Robert Brill, costumes by Paul Tazewell, lighting by Howell Binkley, projections by Sean Nieuwenhuis, sound by Gareth Owen, and was produced by Tommy Mottola and Thalía. The musical closed on Broadway on December 30, 2018, after 289 performances.
The First National tour opened September 29, 2019. The tour started at the RBTL Auditorium in Rochester, New York. The cast featured Dan’yelle Williamson (Diva Donna), Alex Hairston (Disco Donna), and Olivia Elease Hardy (Duckling Donna).
The Second National Tour opened November 15, 2021. Launching at the Benedum Center in Pittsburgh, PA. The cast featured Brittny Smith (Diva Donna), Charis Gullage (Disco Donna), and Amahri Edward-Jones (Duckling Donna).
In July 2022, Norwegian Cruise Line announced its at-sea tour of the musical aboard the all new Norwegian Prima, which premiered in August. The cast features Kimberley Locke (Diva Donna), Valerie Curlingford (Disco Donna), and D'Nasya Jordan (Duckling Donna).
Broadway Licensing acquired the rights for all future stock and amateur performances.
Overview The musical highlights Donna Summer at three stages of her life. Duckling Donna is in her pre-teens, starting out in Boston; Disco Donna, in her late teens and 20s, has her initial success; Diva Donna is in her 50s and at the top of her career.
Musical numbers
The Queen Is Back – Diva Donna and Ensemble I Feel Love – Diva Donna and Ensemble Love to Love You Baby – Disco Donna and Female Ensemble I Remember Yesterday – Duckling Donna and Sisters On My Honor – Duckling Donna Faster and Faster to Nowhere – Disco Donna and Ensemble Munich: Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring / White Boys / Love to Love You Baby (Reprise) – Diva Donna, Disco Donna and Ensemble MacArthur Park – Diva Donna, Disco Donna, Duckling Donna and Ensemble Heaven Knows – Disco Donna and Bruce Sudano No More Tears (Enough Is Enough) – Diva Donna, Disco Donna and Duckling Donna Pandora's Box – Duckling Donna, Diva Donna and Ensemble On the Radio – Disco Donna and Diva Donna
I Love You – Bruce Sudano, Disco Donna and Mimi Sudano Bad Girls – Disco Donna and Female Ensemble She Works Hard for the Money – Full Company Dim All the Lights – Disco Donna, Joyce Bogart and Ensemble I Believe in Jesus – Disco Donna and Ensemble Unconditional Love – Diva Donna, Mimi, Brooklyn and Amanda Sudano To Turn the Stone – Disco Donna and Diva Donna Stamp Your Feet – Diva Donna and Ensemble Friends Unknown – Diva Donna Hot Stuff – Disco Donna and Ensemble Last Dance – Diva Donna, Disco Donna, Duckling Donna and Full Company
Cast Character La Jolla (2017) Broadway (2018) First National Tour (2019–2020) Second National Tour (2021–2022)NCL 1.0 (2022–2023) Diva Donna / Mary GainesLaChanze Dan'yelle Williamson Brittny SmithKimberley Locke Disco Donna Ariana DeBose Alex Hairston Charis GullageValerie Curlingford Duckling Donna / Mimi Sommer Storm Lever Olivia Elease Hardy Amahri Edwards-JonesD'Nasya JordanGiorgio Moroder Mackenzie Bell Kaleigh Cronin Kyli Rae Robert AylaBrooke Lacy Young Dara Gaines / Amanda Sudano Kimberly Dodson Cameron Anika Hill Ciara JonesTa'kaiyah Bailey Adult Mary Ellen Bernard Anissa Felix DeQuina Moore Mia DavidsonCandace Washington Brian Drew Foster Jay Garcia David TanciarJonny Rouse Maid / Michael Afra Hines Brittany Nicole Williams/Candace J. Washington Diane MeckEloise Simpson Neil Bogart Aaron Krohn John Gardiner Chris Lewis Dan Evans Norm BrokawJenny Laroche Tamrin Goldberg Francisco Risso Tym Brown Mary Ellen Gaines / Brooklyn Sudano Wonu Ogunfowora De'Ja Simone Meridien TerrellIsabella Mason Bob Rebecca RikerBrooke LacyFrancisco RissoN/A Adult Dara Gaines Christina Acosta Robinson Crystal Sha'nae Layla TompkinsEve Parsons Andrew Gaines Ken Robinson Erick Pinnick Porter Lee AndersonTym Brown Joyce Bogart Jessica Rush Trish Lindström Aubrey YoungReagan Muir Pete Bellotte Kaye Tuckerman Jennifer Byrne Emiliee ThenoMolly Scott Bruce Sudano Jared Zirilli Steven Grant Douglas John GuragnaTyler BurkPastor / DoctorJenny LarocheHarris M. TurnerSir Brock WarrenLamont WhitakerAnthony GarciaHelmuth SommerDrew FosterJay GarciaFrancisco RissoJonny RouseDon EngelKaye TuckermanJennifer ByrneDavid TanciarOliver SelwoodDavid GeffenMackenzie BellBrooke LacyRobert AylaJames VinsonDetectiveDrew FosterMackenzie BellBrooke LacyEmiliee ThenoJames VinsonSwingsDrew Foster, Aurelia Michael, Jody Reynard, Kim SteeleJo'nathan Michael, Jennifer Wolfe, Mara LucasStephen Vaught, Kayleigh Hegarty, Nissi ShalomeNichole Ford, Michael Marrero
Awards and nominations Original Broadway production Year Award Ceremony Category Nominee Result 2018 Chita Rivera Awards Outstanding Female Dancer in a Broadway ShowAriana DeBose Drama League Awards Outstanding Production of a Musical Distinguished Performance Ariana DeBose LaChanze Tony Awards Best Actress in a Musical Best Featured Actress in a Musical Ariana DeBose
Notes
References
External links Internet Broadway Database Listing