Diandra Reviews It All- Summer: The Donna Summer Musical Is A Gem

I have to admit I was curious about Summer: The Donna Summer Musical. How would the life of The Queen of Disco translate to Broadway? Yet, I did not know that Donna Summer was apart of a German production of Hair. I didn’t know she was sexually abused by a pastor from age 11 to 15. I didn’t know that she was a fierce feminist; who fought to get her equal pay. There was so much I did not know about The Disco Queen, and that is the secret weapon of Summer.

Summer has so many reasons for its success. First, its book, penned by McAnuff, Colman Domingo, and Robert Cary, plays as an aspirational musical; showing you that the highs and lows of your life are merely lessons on how to be happy. Ariana DeBose as “Disco Donna”, LaChanze as “Diva Donna”, and Storm Lever as “Duckling Donna” give the legend such a warm hopefulness that their varying looks become one in their singular, Summer personality. DeBose is whimsical as Disco Donna. Everytime, she comes on the stage she embodies the glamor of this legend, while showing she was simply a human being trying to feel fulfilled by her choices.

We all have a gift, but Summer is the story of a woman that learned no person’s gift is for them. A painter paints for others, a doctor heals others, and a singer sings for others. The best things we do are always done for others, and being okay with that truth is a journey that begins in Summer’s childhood. Lever gives Duckling Donna a spark of charm that helps you understand that a diva is born. Donna is a balance of ambition and innocence, which she keeps throughout her life but leads her to be crushed, betrayed, and even beaten by the men around her. Still, Summer is a joyous musical and relies on LaChanze’s “Diva Donna” to remind audiences that, like Donna Summer, to protect your dreams is your protect your person.

The second reason for Summer’s success, as a musical, is, of course, THE MUSIC. All of Donna Summer’s hits are played, and each actress has the power and range to bring out the spiritualism of her music. “No More Tears” to “Bad Girls”, Donna Summer only moved bodies because she moved souls. All her songs empowered women to be be fierce and independent of men, which she truly lived to her word. Although she finds love with Jared Zirilli’s Bruce Sudano, Summer displays that Donna was a lonely creative, who found companionship with her sisters and other, friendly geniuses like Mackenzie Bell’s funny Giorgio Moroder. Yet, the stage is constantly filled with the fabulous dancers and choreography of Sergio Trujillo, who can make a slow move look high octane. Moreover, the glitzed costuming of Paul Tazewell, neon, scenic design by Robert Brill, and the overall direction of Des McAnuff transports you the magic of the 70’s and 80’s.

Summer: The Donna Summer Musical is a sappy, starry musical that was 100% eaten up by the audience. Hoards of female friends, of every age, and touring couples aligned the seats “Wooing!” and dancing; some even bringing feather boas. It was such an electric ambiance that was all about being happy, having fun no matter how ridiculous someone calls or treats you, and believing that love comes as much as it goes. It was a mantra that Donna certainly lived by as The Queen of Disco and a woman, again, trying to figure out whether her life was fulfilling. In the end, people got up and danced to “Last Dance”, not only because its a rhythmic extravaganza, but also because they came the conclusion that, yes, Donna Summer lived a full life, which we can only hope to say the same for ourselves. For More Information On Summer: The Donna Summer Musical Click Here.

Time: 100 minutes without intermission Located: Lunt-Fontanne Theatre –205 W. 46th St. Between Broadway and 8th Ave.