Summer: The Donna Summer Musical – About the Show
Highlights of Summer: The Donna Summer Musical – Must-See Moments
Three Tony-Nominated Stars Bring the Queen of Disco to Life
The central role of Donna Summer, celebrated worldwide as the Queen of Disco, is performed by not just one but three talented actresses, each portraying a different chapter of her life. Summer rose to fame in the 1970s as a trailblazer in disco music, leaving behind a legacy of iconic hits and unforgettable performances.In this Broadway musical, LaChanze takes the lead, earning a Tony Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical for this role, and previously winning for The Color Purple. Ariana DeBose, also nominated for Best Featured Actress in a Musical, captures another side of Summer’s journey, while Storm Lever makes her Broadway debut in the role. Together, these powerhouse performers portray Donna Summer’s dramatic life, passionate romances, and chart-topping songs with energy and authenticity.
A 1970s Icon Who Inspired Madonna, Beyonce, and Lady Gaga
With the release of her second album Love to Love You Baby in 1975, Donna Summer became a global sensation, cementing her place as the undisputed Queen of Disco. Her influence continues to resonate, inspiring generations of artists including Madonna, Beyonce, and Lady Gaga. Her anthem “Hot Stuff” remains one of the most recognizable disco tracks of all time.
Beyond dominating the disco era, Summer was also a pioneer of Eurobeat. Her groundbreaking single “I Feel Love” shocked the music industry by introducing futuristic electronic sounds at a time when techno and electro were virtually unknown, forever changing the direction of modern music.
Summer: The Donna Summer Musical – Show info
Show details of Summer: The Donna Summer Musical
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Theater location： Lunt-Fontanne Theatre 205 West 46th Street New York, NY 10036 (Map) |
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Performance Run: Preview: March 28, 2018 Opening: April 23, 2018 Closing: December 30, 2018 |
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Show Links: |
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Type of the show: Easy to follow Emotional・Touching Stunning Songs Stunning Dance |
Summer: The Donna Summer Musical – Story
The Plot / Summary of Summer: The Donna Summer Musical
The youngest of seven children, she grew up with her father, a butcher, and her mother, a teacher. From an early age, she performed in gospel groups and church choirs around Boston. As she grew older, her interest shifted toward rock music, and by the age of 18 she was singing as the lead vocalist of a rock band while also auditioning for roles on Broadway.
Opportunities in New York were limited, and she struggled to find her breakthrough. That turning point came when she was cast in the German production of the rock musical Hair.
Relocating to Germany, she began working as a stage actress, commercial performer, and singer. It was during this time that producers Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte discovered her talent. Recognizing her potential, they launched her career as a recording artist, leading to a string of international hits. From here, Donna Summer’s journey as the “Queen of Disco” truly began, though behind the glory there was also a more complex story to be told.
Summer: The Donna Summer Musical – Movie
The YouTube trailer of Summer: The Donna Summer Musical
This is a YouTube live video of the Broadway musical “Donna Summer.” You can see the powerful stage performance.
Summer: The Donna Summer Musical – Explore, FAQ
Behind the Scenes of Summer: The Donna Summer Musical
The Creative Team That Revived Donna Summer’s Iconic Hits
The show was directed and co-written by Des McAnuff, a veteran filmmaker and Broadway director. He won the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical in 1985 with Big River, and was nominated again in 2006 for Jersey Boys. He also received two earlier nominations at the 47th and 49th Tony Awards.
Choreography was by Sergio Trujillo, known for his work on Jersey Boys, A Bronx Tale, and On Your Feet! which earned him a Tony nomination in 2016. This outstanding team brought the legendary Queen of Disco back to life on the Broadway stage.
Who Was Donna Summer?
Born December 31, 1948 to May 17, 2012, passed away at the age of 63. Born in Boston, USA.
Donna Summer, known worldwide as the Queen of Disco, began her career in 1968 as a stage actress in the European production of Hair. After appearing in several productions, she transitioned to music, releasing her first single in 1971 and her first album in 1974. Neither was a major success at the time.
Producer Giorgio Moroder soon discovered her unique talent and helped establish her as a pioneer of disco music. She went on to release numerous hit songs, winning five Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013.
Donna Summer’s Greatest Billboard Hits
On May 17, 2012, Billboard, one of the most respected entertainment publications in the United States, released a Top 20 ranking of Donna Summer’s greatest hits. Based on Billboard Hot 100 chart performance, here are the top five. All of these timeless classics are performed live in the musical.
| Rank / Song Title | Peak Position on Billboard Hot 100 |
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| 1. Hot Stuff | No.1 (3 weeks) |
| 2. Bad Girls | No.1 (5 weeks) |
| 3. MacArthur Park | No.1 (3 weeks) |
| 4. Love to Love You Baby | No.2 |
| 5. No More Tears (Enough Is Enough) | No.1 (2 weeks) |
Summer: The Donna Summer Musical – FAQ
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Can I buy tickets for Summer: The Donna Summer Musical (Broadway show) on the day of the show?
Tickets are available for purchase until the day before the show through our booking page. See more details about Summer: The Donna Summer Musical tickets.
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How much are tickets for Summer: The Donna Summer Musical (Broadway show)?
Tickets for the Broadway musical Summer: The Donna Summer Musical start at $59 with our discounted prices. See more details for Summer: The Donna Summer Musical tickets.
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Is the English in Summer: The Donna Summer Musical (Broadway show) hard to understand?
The musical Summer: The Donna Summer Musical is an enjoyable show even if you don’t understand English. We recommend reading the synopsis before you go. For other recommended shows, please refer to the Broadway Musical Selection Guide. You’re sure to find a show you’ll love from among the many musicals in New York.
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Do you have a summary or synopsis of Summer: The Donna Summer Musical (Broadway show)?
The story and synopsis of the Broadway musical Summer: The Donna Summer Musical are introduced in the Summer: The Donna Summer Musical Story section. Reading this beforehand will help you easily understand the storyline.
Summer: The Donna Summer Musical – Review
Review by Chisao:
A Musical for Adults
Hearing the iconic song “Hot Stuff” performed live on stage was incredible.
New York offers plenty of musicals with a more mature vibe, which I truly appreciated.
October 1, 2018
Review by Energetic Duo from Nagano:
Thank You for the Tickets
We came from Nagano, two women traveling together.
Thank you so much for this wonderful experience.
The musical was fantastic, and the theater was filled with a calm and sophisticated audience, which made it easy to relax and enjoy.
When we come back to New York, we would love to see even more shows!
March 20, 2018
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