Summer: The Donna Summer Musical

The Local Tourist tickets for two to the opening night of Summer: The Donna Summer Musical courtesy of Broadway in Chicago.

Broadway In Chicago’s Summer: The Donna Summer Musical opened at James M. Nederlander Theatre for a limited two-
week engagement through February 23, 2020. Summer features a book by Tony Award nominee Colman Domingo, Robert Cary and Tony Award winner Des McAnuff, with songs by Donna Summer, Giorgio Moroder, Paul Jabara and others. The show is directed by Des McAnuff and choreographed by Tony Award winner Sergio Trujillo, with music supervised by Ron Melrose and scenic design by Tony Award nominee Robert Brill. Costumes by Tony Award winner Paul Tazewell, lighting by Tony Award winner Howell
Binkley, sound by Tony Award nominee Gareth Owen and projections by Sean Nieuwenhuis. This tour is produced by the Dodgers and Tommy Mottola.

She was a girl from Boston with a voice from heaven, who shot through the stars from gospel choir to dance floor diva. But what the world didn’t know was how Donna Summer risked it all to break through barriers, becoming the icon of an era and the inspiration for every music diva who followed. With a score featuring more than 20 of Summer’s classic hits including “Love to Love You Baby,” “Bad Girls” and “Hot Stuff,” this electric experience is a moving tribute to the voice of a generation

Having come of age in the era of disco, I was thrilled to attend the opening of Summer. And the music & dance numbers did not disappoint. I found myself singing along and tapping to the rhythm. Donna Summer was a sizzling hot supernova in the age of disco, the Queen of Disco we called her. But it turns out she was much more than that. The musical recites the events of Donna’s life in rapid succession, introducing us to Young Donna, Disco Donna and the incomparable Diva Donna. All three women in the title role gave strong musical performances.

The book isn’t the greatest of plot lines, but it is educational. The events of Donna Summer’s life are inspiring and timeless. Strength, tenacity, courage. These qualities do not have an expiration date. And Donna had them in spades.

Disco lover? Summer: The Donna Summer Musical is a must see. Go for the music and stay for the Last Dance. Donna would want you to.

Summer is now playing at James M. Nederlander theatre at 24 West Randolph Street in the heart of Chicago’s Theatre District.