SUMMER: The Donna Summer Musical is “Hot Stuff” at the Lawrenceville Arts Center
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After a 2018 run on Broadway and a 2021 National Tour, brings the “Queen of Disco” to the Lawrenceville Arts Center, March 16 – April 9. This energetic musical documents the legacy of Donna Summer as a soundtrack of her top hits guides audiences through three stages of her extraordinary life.
“Duckling Donna” is a just a preteen girl with a dream, starting out in Boston. “Disco Donna” finds the beginnings of success in her late teens and 20s. Then in her 50s, “Diva Donna” is shining at the height of her career. Featuring classic Donna tunes like Hot Stuff, Bad Girls and No More Tears (Enough Is Enough), this electric musical will have audiences singing along as they learn the backstory behind the disco music powerhouse.
“Aurora Theatre is led by fierce women, so who better to bring to our season than one of the fiercest female hit-makers that’s ever lived?” said Aurora Theatre Co-Founder and Producing Artistic Director Ann-Carol Pence. “So many know Donna Summer’s music but don’t know the steps she took to get there and the barriers that she had to tear down. It is with great pride that we get to bring her story to Lawrenceville.”Three extraordinary women will take on the role of Donna in her various stages of life. Jessenia Ingram will play Duckling Donna, Desiré Gaston will play Disco Donna and Marliss Ameia will play Diva Donna.
With an original book by Colman Domingo, Robert Cray, and Des McAnuff and songs by Donna Summer, Giorgio Moroder, Paul Jabara and many more, SUMMER: The Donna Summer Musical has been lovingly imagined by a fierce team of theatre professionals from Aurora Theatre. This regional production is directed and choreographed by award-winning director, writer and Broadway choreographer Patdro Harris, with musical direction by Ann-Carol Pence.
Regular show times are as follows:• Thursday–Friday: 8 p.m.• Saturday: 2:30 p.m., 8 p.m.• Sunday 2:30 p.m.
*With a special matinee performance at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 22
SUMMER: The Donna Summer Musical uses flashing strobe lights, theatrical haze, and fog. It is not suitable for children under 12 due to adult themes and mentions of drug use. The show will be presented March 16 – April 9. Tickets start at $21 and may be purchased online at tickets.auroratheatre.com or by calling the Box Office at 678.226.6222.
A variety of interactive themed events will accompany SUMMER: The Donna Summer Musical. The Studio LAC after-party after every Friday show, is set to transform the Lawrenceville Arts Center’s lobby into a disco dance party. The Summer Dance Workshop on March 18 will teach children ages 10 – 18 choreography from the show in celebration of World Day of Theatre for Children and Young People. This is a free event, but registration is required. The Out of Sight Outfit Contest is an ongoing contest held throughout the show’s run. Audience members can attend in their best disco looks to be featured on Aurora’s social channels and be entered to win a trip to Miami.
