Summer: The Donna Summer Musical

Full Casting Announced for Summer: The Donna Summer Musical on Broadway

As rehearsals begin, the full cast has been confirmed for the upcoming Broadway musical Summer: The Donna Summer Musical has been announced.

As previously announced, three actresses will play Donna: Tony Award winner LaChanze (Once on This Island) will appear as "Diva Donna", with Ariana DeBose (Hamilton) as "Disco Donna" and Storm Lever (Freaky Friday) will play "Duckling Donna". The jukebox musical is set to open at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on April 23, 2018, with previews set to begin on March 28, 2018.

Synopsis: Told through the dramatic lens of her final concert, Summer: The Donna Summer Musical presents the complexities and conflicts the iconic songwriter and singer faced in her meteoric rise - and descent. Featuring three actresses in the title role and a score with 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.

The rest of the cast of Summer includes Aaron Krohn (Cabaret) as "Neil," Ken Robinson (The Color Purple) as "Andrew Gaines," and Jared Zirilli (Lysistrata Jones) as "Bruce Sudano." The ensemble is comprised of Angelica Beliard (On Your Feet), Mackenzie Bell (Sunset Boulevard), Kaleigh Cronin (A Bronx Tale), Kimberly Dodson (Duress film), Anissa Felix (Sunset Boulevard), Drew Wildman Foster (Sunset Boulevard), Afra Hines (Shuffle Along), Jenny Laroche ("Smash"), Wonu Ogunfowora (A Bronx Tale), Rebecca Riker (An American in Paris), Christina Acosta Robinson ("Dexter"), Jessica Rush (Jersey Boys), Kaye Tuckerman (Mamma Mia!) and Harris M. Turner. Swings include Aurelia Michael (Legally Blonde) and Jody Reynard (Chicago tour).

The production has a book by Colman Domingo, Robert Cary and Des McAnuff, with songs by Donna Summer, Giorgio Moroder, Paul Jabara and others. It will be directed by Des McAnuff and choreographed by Sergio Trujillo, with music supervised by Ron Melrose and scenic design by Robert Brill, costumes by Paul Tazewell, lighting by Howell Binkley, sound by Gareth Owen and projections by Sean Nieuwenhuis.

- by Will Longman

Photo by Kevin Berne

Originally published on

Subscribe to our newsletter to unlock exclusive New York theatre updates!

Special offers, reviews and release dates for the best shows in town.

You can unsubscribe at any time. Privacy Policy