Donna Summer News

Only Human is a new pop-rock musical starring Academy Award and Golden Globe-nominated and BAFTA Award-winning actor Gary Busey as God. Busey is joined by Mike Squillante, lead singer of the rock band Running Lights and Only Human's composer/lyricist, as 'Lou,' Kim Steele (Summer: The Donna Summer Musical) as 'Maggie,' and Evan Maltby (roles with New York Musical Festival, Musicals Tonight, The Flea Theatre) as 'J.C.' The production also features Ben Bogen (Frozen, Jersey Boys national tour), Lili Thomas (The Hello Girls), and Charles West (The Scarlet Pimpernel).

With the first phase of its much-anticipated expansion complete, the Maltz Jupiter Theatre, the country's youngest LORT B+ theatre, is opening its 2019/20 season with its first commission, a vibrant world premiere by Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen.

BroadwayWorld has a first look at SUMMER: The Donna Summer Musical on Tour! Check out photos of the cast in action!

The orchestra strikes the opening drumbeats and bass guitar riffs, instantly recognizable to 80's music aficionados as The Go-Go's' hit 'We Got the Beat.' The curtain rises, and it is immediately clear that the cast has come to play . . . in a BIG way. There is an incredibly fun show playing at The Circuit Playhouse in Overton Square that you may not have heard about. That show is Head Over Heels, a jukebox style musical featuring songs by none other than the quintessential 80's girl group, The Go-Go's, interwoven throughout what can best be described as a 16th century comedic farce. Yes, you heard that right folks. Notwithstanding the prevalence of biographical jukebox musicals in recent years, featuring the song catalogs of such icons as Carole King, Cher, Donna Summer, The Temptations, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, and Gloria Estefan, among others, it doesn't get much more original than Head Over Heels, which utilizes the unlikely musical source material against a completely unexpected backdrop.

LOST IN THE DISCO is a unique experience of immersive theater, where the audience is directly involved within the performance, and where actors/dancers/singers are performing among the public. The greatest Disco Classics will surround this love story, punctuated with comedy, where cast members act and sing among the audience and invite them to join the dance floor. Lost in the Disco will play 4 performances in the unique decor of the Angel Orensanz Foundation (172 Norfolk Street New York 10002) from November 6th to December 3rd 2019. This experience will plunge you back in the golden age of disco time and craziness of the legendary Studio 54 with classics by Donna Summer, Gloria Gaynor, Michael Jackson, Le Chic, Shalamar, Taste of Honey, Saturday Night Fever, Earth Wind & Fire, and many more to be performed by a versatile 9 members cast.

Tina - The Tina Turner Musical officially begins previews tonight on Broadway. Tina herself is giving the show a shoutout in an all new video.

The North American Tour of SUMMER: The Donna Summer Musical celebrated its official tour press opening last night in Cleveland, OH at Playhouse Square, following technical rehearsals and tour kickoff performances at RBTL's Auditorium Theater in Rochester, NY. The musical plays in Cleveland through October 27 and will next travel to the Hollywood Pantages Theater in Los Angeles, CA for an engagement November 5-24. The three actresses that share the role of musical icon Donna Summer, Dan'yelle Williamson as a?oeDiva Donna,a?? Alex Hairston as a?oeDisco Donnaa?? and Olivia Elease Hardy as a?oeDuckling Donna,a?? were presented with bouquets of white roses during Curtain Call and met Mimi Dohler, Donna Summer's daughter.

TINA a?" THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL begins previews tomorrow, Saturday, October 12, 2019 at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre (205 West 46th Street). The new musical will launch a digital lottery, making a limited number of $45 tickets available at https://lottery.broadwaydirect.com/show/tina-ny.

On October 9, I had the pleasure of interviewing Broadway star Dee Roscioli, over the telephone.  Dee Roscioli is believed to still hold America's all-time record for the most professional performances of the lead role of Elphaba in the musical Wicked, a role she played in New York, Chicago, and San Francisco, spanning more than a thousand total performances.  On Saturday, November 2, 2019, she is scheduled to appear at the Ridgefield Playhouse, in Ridgefield, CT, in a Group5productions performance called WICKED DIVAS, performing with Alli Mauzey, who has played Glinda in Wicked, on Broadway. 

Today's top stories: complete casting has been announced for A Christmas Carol on Broadway, and more!

Only Human, a new pop-rock musical starring Academy Award and Golden Globe-nominated and BAFTA Award-winning actor Gary Busey as God, begins previews on Tuesday, October 8 at the Theatre at St. Clements (423 West 46th Street). The production opens October 21, 2019. Visit the show's official website at www.onlyhumanmusical.com to purchase tickets or for more information.

Sam's Town Hotel and Gambling Hall will bring top entertainment to Sam's Town Live! in November, including Domination Comedians Unplugged, Round 10: Operation Knockout and The Donna Summer Experience featuring Rainere Martin. November entertainment will also feature a WWE Survivor Series Viewing Party in the Hawthorne Room as well as free live entertainment at Roxy's Lounge all month long.

The Rochester Broadway Theatre League opens its 2019-2020 season with a glitzy, glamorous, and soulful look at the queen of the disco era, Donna Summer. 'Summer: The Donna Summer Musical', which began its national tour in Rochester this week, isn't just for children of the 1970's, but for anyone who wants a more intimate look into the life and career of one of the music industry's most iconic figures.

Bay Area Cabaret presents Tony, SAG and Emmy award-winning actress LaChanze in her Bay Area concert debut performing Feeling Good, an autobiographical journey of her life with music and words.

Single tickets for seven shows in the Fabulous Fox Theatre's 2019 a?" 2020 U.S. Bank Broadway Series will go on sale Monday, October 14 at 10:00 a.m.  Tickets will be available online at MetroTix.com, by phone at 314-534-1111 and in person at the Fox Theatre Box Office for the following shows: SUMMER: THE DONNA SUMMER MUSICAL; JERSEY BOYS; RIVERDANCE 25th Anniversary Show; RENT; THE BAND'S VISIT; Roald Dahl's CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY; CATS.  

Renowned songwriter, producer, and arranger Bob Esty died on September 27, 2019 in Los Angeles, after a short battle with metastatic cancer. He was 72.

The 2019/20 Mirvish Theatre Season is one of the company's biggest, with 24 different shows in six downtown Toronto venues.

Broadway's Diva Songstress N'Kenge takes you on an explosive and exciting journey of the life and music of Donna Summer for One Night Only. a?oeFOREVER SUMMERa?? will play Monday Sept 23, 2019 at Club Bonafide located at 212 E. 52nd Street NYC 10022. There is a 7PM and 9PM Show. Experience this one night only celebration of the Queen of Disco with your favorite hits like a?oeHot Stuffa??, a?oeMcArthur Parka??, a?oeI Feel Lovea?? a?oeLast Dance!

On Wednesday, September 18th, RBTL, Deputy Mayor James Smith, and Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo welcomed the cast of SUMMER: The Donna Summer Musical to Rochester ahead of the North American Tour Launch of SUMMER September 29 a?" October 5.