Summer: the Donna Summer Musical- Page 2

[MadonnaMusical]

Posted: 11/9/17 at 8:16am

RippedMan said: "Why not go full tilt and just do the whole show with all females? I think that'd be a really interesting and clever take for a juxebox musicial."

Agree. All or nothing. 

[fashionguru_23]

Posted: 11/9/17 at 8:41am

This report gives me the idea that the show is more like Jersey Boys than other jukebox/biography shows. It seems like its very carefully put together, and carefully done. Not just "and then I sang...". I also love that it seems every song is placed in a manner that if it was an original score, the moments would spring out from the text. Very much text based then opening up for songs, not picking all the songs then trying to make a story.

[Lot666]

Posted: 11/9/17 at 2:12pm

Alessio2 said: "Can someone please explain to me why Girgio Moroder is played by a woman? I'm all about gender neutral casting if the role isn't specific, but this person who happens to still be living today is very much a man, a prominent one, in the music industry."

This is just odd to me.

[Lot666]

Posted: 11/9/17 at 2:14pm

Matt Rogers said: "Do they get into how she alienated her core fan base when she found Jesus and started spouting out that AIDS was God's punishment to gays?"

This should not be glossed over; to do so would be to fictionalize her life.

[Ado Annie D'Ysquith]

Posted: 11/9/17 at 2:36pm

I don't think Ariana DeBose, a queer woman, would necessarily agree to do this show if that part of Donna Summer's life weren't treated properly. But who knows?

[SweetLips]

Posted: 11/9/17 at 4:10pm

Ado Annie D'Ysquith said: "I don't think Ariana DeBose, a queer woman, would necessarily agree to do this show if that part of Donna Summer's life weren't treated properly. But who knows?"

'a queer woman' ? do you mean lesbian or a woman who is slightly wacko?

 

[ArtMan]

Posted: 11/9/17 at 4:45pm

Donna Summer always denied making those comments. Back in the 80's, when the publication printed the supposed statements by Donna, the "incident" took on a life of it's own.  It became the subject of gossip in all of the gay bars at the time.  At that time and now, no one has ever presented any actual evidence that she made those comments.  When Another Place Another Time came out in 1988/1989, it seems like those who fell out of love with Donna, quickly became the fan again.  That project spawned 5 dance hit singles in the gay bars.  Recently, a letter has been found that Donna wrote to the gay community years ago. She does not apologize for comments she says she never made, but does apologize for any strain it made on her relationship with her fans.  As a fan of Donna up until her death I will take her side of the story.  If someone can present evidence that she made those comments, then of course my opinion could change.  BTW, the next time you are in the club and you are dancing to I Will Survive, keep in mind that Gloria Gaynor has stated (and there is proof of it) over the years, awful things about gay people.

[ArtMan]

Posted: 11/9/17 at 4:45pm

double post

Updated On: 11/9/17 at 04:45 PM

[David10086]

Posted: 11/11/17 at 11:51am

As a long-time Summer fan, I can't wait for this to transfer to Broadway, as it seems inevitable. The set-up and the story sound intriguing, from what is described above. I, too, wish they had a more creative name than what they came up with - and wish they used something more creative in the art department than using a nearly 40 year old picture from her "Live and More" album cover. 

I also have a question  - if the musical officially opened on November 7, how come there are no press reviews to be found?  Or am I missing them? 

[BroadwayNYC2]

Posted: 11/11/17 at 12:18pm

I also have a question  - if the musical officially opened on November 7, how come there are no press reviews to be found?  Or am I missing them? 

The day performances started is not the same thing as being "officially opened"

[David10086]

Posted: 11/11/17 at 1:36pm

Oh - my bad! I thought 11/7 was the official opening of the show. Does anyone know when that date is? The show is scheduled to close in mid-December, so it doesn't have a long run. 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 11/11/17 at 1:48pm

Yeah, November 7th is when it began performances and oddly enough, the opening night date is no where to be found anywhere.  Just that the run ends December 17, 2017.  

[broadwayrocks2]

Posted: 11/11/17 at 3:13pm

David10086 said: "As a long-time Summer fan, I can't wait for this to transfer to Broadway
 

 

What theaters are available this Spring ? Has anyone heard of  new transfer talk yet ?

[Wicked Fanatic]

Posted: 11/12/17 at 2:28pm

Since I saw the first preview last week it has been a non-stop time for me to revisit the greatness of the Diva Disco Queen thanks to You Tube where there are many great videos of her live performances and more.  Here's one that I really enjoyed from her sister, Mary Gaines Bernard who was one of her backup singers and I don't remember this even be mentioned in the musical.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeHLAZ_EUZY

Watching some of the videos that featured Giorgio Moroder playing keyboard MacKenzie Bell who played him she had his keyboard style down perfectly.

I got my tickets for the final show on December 17th and can't wait to see the final product.

uncageg, I love the song, "Unconditional Love" which I don't remember hearing before and the apology song in the musical, "Friends Unknown" really is a great song by Donna.  it!

broadwaysfguy I believe you're at the show tonight and I'll be looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

ETA two videos of Donna Summer: Her Words, Her Story

Part 1:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqV0TfroVRQ

Part 2:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjmg_m1Cy0U

  

Updated On: 11/12/17 at 02:28 PM

[broadwaybabywannabe2]

Posted: 11/12/17 at 3:47pm

great posting Wicked Fanatic...one question for you as a devoted DONNA SUMMER fan did any of the great music in DONNA SUMMER 1982 get into the musical in any way?>..here is a sample from that amazing Quincy Jones produced album...in my opinion the best work Donna did in her career...

 

https://youtu.be/DQfmO7Pu85g

[Wicked Fanatic]

Posted: 11/12/17 at 6:22pm

broadwaybabywannabe2 said: "great posting Wicked Fanatic...one question for you as a devoted DONNA SUMMER fan did any of the great music in DONNA SUMMER 1982 get into the musical in any way?>..here is a sample from that amazing Quincy Jones produced album...in my opinion the best work Donna did in her career...



https://youtu.be/DQfmO7Pu85g"

Not at this time as all the songs used when I saw it were written by Giorgio Moroder, Peter Bellotte or Donna Summer with other collaborators except for 4: "Last Dance" (Paul Jabara); White Boys (Black Boys) from "Hair" by Galt MacDermot, James Rado and Gerome Ragni; No More Tears (Enough Is Enough) by Paul Jabara and Bruce Roberts and MacArthur Park by Jim Webb.

Just watched two good documentaries one by A&E: Biography from 1995 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuzxIkGdpKo and another narrated by Graham Norton for the BBC, the Queens of Disco http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61leTXiBods which actually discussed her suicide attempt, why she had to leave the U.S. to go to Germany which as I mentioned when I saw it I did not know along with the Gay anger over the Adam/Steve and AIDS comments.

 

[David10086]

Posted: 11/12/17 at 9:12pm

broadwaybabywannabe2 said: "great posting Wicked Fanatic...one question for you as a devoted DONNA SUMMER fan did any of the great music in DONNA SUMMER 1982 get into the musical in any way?>..here is a sample from that amazing Quincy Jones produced album...in my opinion the best work Donna did in her career...



https://youtu.be/DQfmO7Pu85g"

I think the 1982 "Donna Summer" album is very good (especially with the knock-out "State of Independence"  ) but the album which it replaced ("I'm A Rainbow"  ) was much better - much more true to her style. BTW, did you know the 1982 albums was originally titled "The Woman In Me" but for some reason was later changed to "Donna Summer" ? The sleeve of the 45 "Love Is In Control" (which was released a few months before the album itself) has the notation "from the album The Woman In Me".

Speaking of this musical, is Streisand mentioned at all, and to what degree? Is anyone playing her for the 'Enough is Enough' duet?  The casting sounded it was like for just about everyone in Summer's success except for Streisand. I hope they didn't 'ignore' her. 

Updated On: 11/12/17 at 09:12 PM

[smidge]

Posted: 11/12/17 at 10:05pm

You’re not saying that Streisand had any role in Summer’s success, are you?

[David10086]

Posted: 11/12/17 at 10:18pm

smidge said: "You’re not saying that Streisand had any role in Summer’s success, are you?"

What I'm saying is "Enough Is Enough" was one of the biggest hit singles for each artist. If either one recorded it as a solo, who knows if they would have the same success with the song. So I am saying that both artists had a role in the shared success of the record, which is a part of their successful careers. So yes, Streisand had some degree of her success in 1979, and Summer had some degree of Streisand's success in 1979. 

Updated On: 11/12/17 at 10:18 PM

[smidge]

Posted: 11/12/17 at 10:46pm

Gotcha. I agree it would be odd if they include Enough is Enough and don’t mention Streisand. I’m another Donna fanatic who hopes to see this come in this season. But if we have Cher and Donna next season, that could be too much!

[broadwaybabywannabe2]

Posted: 11/13/17 at 10:08am

David10086 said: "broadwaybabywannabe2 said: "great posting Wicked Fanatic...one question for you as a devoted DONNA SUMMER fan did any of the great music in DONNA SUMMER 1982 get into the musical in any way?>..here is a sample from that amazing Quincy Jones produced album...in my opinion the best work Donna did in her career...



https://youtu.be/DQfmO7Pu85g"

I think the 1982 "Donna Summer" album is very good (especially with the knock-out "State of Independence" ) but the album which it replaced ("I'm A Rainbow" ) was much better - much more true to her style. BTW, did you know the 1982 albums was originally titled "The Woman In Me" but for some reason was later changed to "Donna Summer" ? The sleeve of the 45 "Love Is In Control" (which was released a few months before the album itself) has the notation "from thealbum The Woman In Me".

I will check that out thanks for responding...here is my favorite song from "DONNA SUMMER" 1982:

https://youtu.be/-xJBpVgj0cw

Updated On: 11/13/17 at 10:08 AM

[Vicachka]

Posted: 11/13/17 at 1:17pm

Does anyone know if there are still non-resale tickets available?  If so, through which site?  Thanks.

[Wicked Fanatic]

Posted: 11/13/17 at 1:26pm

Vicachka said: "Does anyone know if there are still non-resale tickets available? If so, through which site? Thanks."

Yes, there are at the La Jolla Playhouse website.

http://www.lajollaplayhouse.org/donna-summer

Just click on BUY TICKETS and then you can see what tickets are left for each date.  Some dates are shut off but do open up the closer it gets to the day of the performance. 

 

[broadwaysfguy]

Posted: 11/13/17 at 2:17pm

i saw Donna last night
my summary impression is that i was entertained. wicked fantatics detailed song by song description was the same as what i saw
the crowd was somewhat lackluster in response
during the first half and got more energized by hot stuff last dance and the song la chance sang before last dance
we got 3 disco balls and confetti plus a live disco with dj outside after the show
i thought the three donnas telling the story worked well and i liked when they sang together although them singing together on specific songs didnt necessarily make plot sense
la chance and the actress playing star donna were both amazing and the young donna actress was solid
i also thought the risers bringing the actresses turntables and other media up from the floor worked well
choreography and costumes both excellent as expected

there was a lot of drama in donnas life and i felt the story glossed over these major events without sharing more of donnas feelings or giving the various donnas opportunity to act and respond emotionally to what she thoight and felt

i also wondered throughout the show if her music catalog is really strong enough to carry a jukebox show to be a hit on broadway compared to jersey boys motown beautiful
three or four songs got big crowd reactions

i feel as always getting the audience to connect to relate to and care more about the main character is critical to book and show success
i didnt really care about carole king or related to
her before beautiful by the curtain jessie had really pulled me in
the three donna strategy may make this a little harder
at the end i appreciated more all the things donna had been through and managed to thrive but the three donnas did not pull me in the way jessie mueller did

i would recommend this show to people who love disco, donna, the dance scene of the mid to late seventies and those who like biopics and seeing new shows pre broadway. this is not a show a would have chosen to see on broadway(i passed on on your feet for similar reasons of not huge interest in gloria) but glad i got to go to la jolla playhouse for the first time(great theatre)and again i was entertained and enjoyed myself. there are the pieces here for a potentially good and fun show.


my donna suggestions for improvement are:
let the strong actors act (especially la chanze) more through donnas traumas to get me more on her side,
make it two acts(no reason this is one)
maybe add a few more disco smash hits vs lesser known donna songs
have male actors for the male roles(i dont think the androgenous thing added anything and actually diluted emotional impact with the minister who molested her
donna was a leader in the disco club movement
which was a lot about more freedom sexually and for lgbt community-the show didnt really celebrate this much
get people on their feet and dancing at end of first act and for last two songs hot stuff/last dance-its a disco musical for gosh sake!

i wonder if i lived in san diego if i would go see this a second time.... i think i would based on the strength of la chance and the middle donnas performances( and the three disco balls and confetti)
btw the bass was thunderous and our sixth row seats were shaking and vibrating intensely...

[Lot666]

Posted: 11/13/17 at 2:25pm

broadwaysfguy, no offense, but your post would be a lot more readable if you included punctuation.