Review: ‘Summer: The Donna Summer Musical’ Dazzles on Broadway

There are many divas, but there’s only one disco diva and her name was Donna Summer.

The late singer’s legacy lives on in the new Broadway show, “Summer: The Donna Summer Musical” now playing at the Lunt-Fontanne Theater.

When I first heard that the Boston native’s contribution to music was going to be celebrated on the Great White Way, I was excited and knew I had to see the show.

Last Thursday, I had the wonderful pleasure of catching the stunning performance during its first week.

The show was incredible from start to finish.

Narrated from Summer’s perspective, the show opens with her performing a final concert where she takes the audience on a trip down memory lane. Thus, her intriguing story is set to the soundtrack of some of her hottest tracks.

From “Love to Love You, Baby” to “Bad Girls” to “Hot Stuff,” the bio-musical is filled with Summer’s Grammy-award winning disco hits to keep audiences dancing in their seats. In fact, the score includes more than 20 of her classic hits.

Plus, the show reveals some personal aspects about Summer—pulling the curtain back and providing theatergoers with details that give a fuller glimpse into the diva’s rise to fame.

Directed by Des McAnuff, not only is her story remarkably told through her timeless music, but the hair, makeup and of course, the costumes are spectacular! You can’t have a musical predominately set in the disco era of the late ‘70s and early ‘80s without elaborate ensembles to reflect the decadent decades—and the show didn’t disappoint.

Bold lips, big bouncy hair and glittery getups are front and center as the cast led by Tony award-winning LaChanze who plays the mature “Diva Donna,” Ariana Debose as the adult in her prime “Disco Donna” and Storm Lever who portrays the young “Duckling Donna” electrifies the stage.

Each of the “Donnas’” powerhouse vocals were on full display as they belted out the hits that made crowned Summer the Queen of Disco and a pioneer of an entire musical genre.

While it’s hard to choose a favorite scene, if asked, I’d have to go with the finale, which reached a fever-pitch and got people on their feet. The immense energy in the room roused the crowd and was a testament to the magic of Broadway musicals.

Produced by entertainment heavyweight, Tommy Mottola and the Dodgers, the show is a spellbinding trip back in time for those who lived through the disco era and a treat for music lovers of all generations.

For more information and tickets, visit DonnaSummerMusical.com.

Editor’s Note: LaChanze is nominated for a Tony for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical and Ariana DeBose is up for the Tony for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical.

The show runs 100 minutes with no intermission.

Lunt-Fontanne Theater is located, 205 W. 46th Street, New York, NY. 

What’s your favorite Donna Summer song? What Broadway show are you looking forward to seeing this season?