Donna Summer Musical Heads To Broadway

This marks the sixth La Jolla Playhouse show to play on Broadway this season

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Photo by Kevin Berne

Above: A 2016 photo of the cast of La Jolla Playhouse’s world premiere of "Summer: The Donna Summer Musical."

"Summer: The Donna Summer Musical," the glitzy show about the queen of disco is going to Broadway.

This shouldn't surprise anyone who has already seen the high-tech musical about the life of Donna Summer. Since opening last month, it's wowed audiences thanks to a flashy set, an outstanding cast and, of course, iconic music.

Directed by Des McAnuff, the musical is finishing its world-premiere run at the La Jolla Playhouse. It's scheduled to open on Broadway's Lunt Fontanne Theatre April 23, with previews starting March 28, 2018.

The musical showcases three actresses who represent various phases of Summer's life. In San Diego, Broadway veteran LaChanze plays the elder "Diva Donna;" "Hamilton's" Ariana DeBose plays "Disco Donna" at the height of her fame; and "Freaky Friday's" Storm Lever is the young "Duckling Donna."

Casting has not been announced for the Broadway production.

"Summer" is the sixth Playhouse-born show to go to Broadway this season. Others include the Tony-nominated "Come From Away" and "Indecent," as well as "Junk," John Leguizamo's "Latin History for Morons" and the soon-to-open "Escape to Margaritaville."