OPENING NOTE FROM CATHY:
THERE ARE SPOILERS HERE: READ AT YOUR OWN RISK! On to Ken...
Yes, it’s me, and I’m back, and just as opinionated as ever !
Summer, The Donna Summer Musical.
Run, Fly, Drive, Train, or whatever it takes to get to Broadway, and see
this heartfelt production.
This column us full of spoilers, so read at your own consent.
The production tells Donna’s story, both known, and unknown by using her
songs, hits and otherwise, to spin both the highs of lows of her life and
career.
The three actresses who portray her, Ariana DeBose as Disco Donna, Storm
Lever as Duckling Donna, and LaChanze as Diva Donna, do justice to Donna and
then some.
LaChanze is the stand out here, she acts as the Emcee for the production,
and when she takes the stage and sings she has Donna’s mannerisms, and
costumes down to to a T.
None of the three sound like Donna, and that is a good thing, this is
Broadway, not an impersonation show, that said all three are talented
vocalists and they all have standout moments.
For me Storm Lever's turn on On My Honor is her moment, she takes a song
that can have many moods, and brings a youthful innocence to it. Youthful
innocence from someone who has already seen much, much more than kids should
have to deal with.
Ariana DeBose nails it on MacArthur Park, and Dim All The Lights sung
completely as a ballad. Dim All The Lights is done at the moment in the show
when Donna attends Neil Bogart’s funeral. Ariana’s version struck another
sad note with me as she reminded me of Laura Branigan, another talent taken
far too soon.
The gender bending cast brings a level of art to the show that allows it to
rise above being another “jukebox” musical. The female band does the same,
and yes when they are on stage they are really playing the instruments.
The scene where Donna’s former boyfriend Gunther stalks her is beyond
graphic, be prepared for it.
I remember a number years ago attending the show The Boy From Oz with Hugh
Jackman, and from the first musical number with Hugh, I felt a
horrible feeling of sadness, as Peter Allen (no relation) still had so much
to give.
That said, I wondered how I would get through watching Summer. First it is a
compelling story, and I enjoyed what every cast member brought to their
roles, multiple roles in many cases. Second, yes tears filled my eyes on a
number of occasions including To Turn The Stone, and Friends Unkown.
Where did I just loose it ? The shows ends with two great hits played just
as they were in concert. Ariana goes over the top Hot Stuff, and by the end
she had the Broadway crowd on their feet Then LaChanze comes out,
looking, acting and dressed VERY much like Donna, I lost it before she could
even sing the first line of Last Dance.
Enjoy this grand show.
One word of suggestion, we were sitting in the Orchestra,and it was clear
the crowd in the Balcony was the party spot. People from the balcony were
screaming We Love Donna Summer. You may want to consider balcony seats. In
fact in true Donna style,LaChanze welcomes the crows in the balcony when she
starts her first of many monologues.
Special thanks to Bruce Sudano for continuing to share his personal love
story with Donna.
And
Tommy Mottola for getting the the show on Broadway.
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