John Guaragna News

Leg Up On Life's six NIGHT OF LIFE Benefiting The Trevor Project is taking to the HK Hall stage! This one-night-only arts performance party, happening Monday, August 22 begins at 7:30PM. Doors open at 7PM This year's party is co-hosted by actor and dancer Daniel Gold (Miss Saigon and Disney's Beauty and the Beast National tours) and iconic New York drag queen Neon Calypso ('Nightgowns')

Summer is coming to West Palm Beach at last with SUMMER: The Donna Summer Musical making its premiere engagement at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts May 20-26.

And while that is one of the true musical highlights of Summer – The Donna Summer Musical, it also focuses attention on the fact that the musical itself – or, rather, its problematic book – often seems unable to figure out how to focus the spotlight on its heroine. Taking a non-linear pathway through the story of the diva’s life, Summer – The Donna Summer Musical is oftentimes confusing and sometimes perplexing, despite the fact that the musical score (attributed to Summer, Giorgio Moroder, Paul Jabara and “others” in the playbill) is wonderfully entertaining and certain to unleash a flood of memories for audience members of a certain vintage.

Summer is coming to Baltimore this winter with SUMMER: The Donna Summer Musical, making its premiere engagement at the historic Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center February 15-20, 2022 for eight performances. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com.

Over the past several years, one thing is for certain Broadway audiences and Regional audiences alike come out in droves to witness, experience, dance, and sing along with well known songs that have defined music across many generations. With shows like Ain’t too Proud: Life and Times of the Temptations, and MJ: The Michael Jackson Musical, Broadway is no stranger to this type of tale. Tuesday night was no exception as the doors of Morsani Hall at the Straz Center burst at the seams with only the glitz and glamour that the Queen of Disco could bring to the party. Summer: The Donna Summer Musical is a jam-packed 115 minute spectacle of grandeur. The talent here is absolutely no joke and is full of all the Donna Summer songs we have come to know and love.

The three actresses that share the role of musical icon Donna Summer are Brittny Smith as “Diva Donna,” Charis Gullage as “Disco Donna” and Amahri Edwards-Jones as “Duckling Donna.”

The non-Equity North American Tour of SUMMER: The Donna Summer Musical returned to the road with official tour opening in Pittsburgh, PA at the Benedum Center (November 16-21, 2021). The tour will then visit more than 40 cities for the 2021-22 touring season.

The North American Tour of SUMMER: The Donna Summer Musical will make its Wilmington premiere at The Playhouse on Rodney Square on December 4 & 5, for a two-matinee engagement. Tickets for SUMMER are on sale now and start at $30.

Broadway In Boston has announced that the North American Tour of SUMMER: The Donna Summer Musical, will make its Boston premiere at Emerson Colonial Theatre.  This limited two-week engagement will play February 22 – March 6, 2022 as part of the upcoming Lexus Broadway In Boston Season. 

Casting has been announced for the North American Tour of SUMMER: The Donna Summer Musical, making its premiere engagement at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts on January 5-9.

The North American Tour of SUMMER: The Donna Summer Musical will return to the road with technical rehearsals in York, PA at the Pullo Center, followed by an official tour opening night in Pittsburgh, PA at the Benedum Center on November 16, 2021 (November 16-21, 2021). The tour will then visit more than 40 cities for the 2021-22 touring season.

CHICAGO is BACK ON TOUR and its PURE ENTERTAINMENT!  With a legendary book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, CHICAGO is now the #1 longest-running American musical in Broadway history -- and it still shows no sign of ever slowing down!

Beach Haven's Surflight Theatre, under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Steve Steiner, is ending its highly successful 70th anniversary season with the original musical Tis the Season. With book by Surflight favorite Andrew Foote, concept by Gail Anderson, Musical Arrangements by Steve Steiner and Direction and Choreography by Paula Hammons Sloan this toe tapping tuneful musical of joy, belief and traditions is wowing audiences through December 15th. With fantastic dancing, terrific music, a story of love, laughter, finding the joy and believing, you will leave the theatre uplifted and ready for the Holiday Season.

Beach Haven's Surflight Theatre, under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Steve Steiner, is back for its 70th show stopping season. The theatre's mainstage season opener is Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn, a song and dance spectacular based on the classic Bing Crosby/Fred Astaire film of the same name that features even more toe tapping tunes by one of America's most prolific songwriters.

Surflight Theatre, under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Steve Steiner, presents the second mainstage production of their second summer season with Jesus Christ Superstar. A Rock Opera, Jesus Christ Superstar is set against the backdrop of an extraordinary and universally-known series of events but seen, unusually, through the eyes of Judas Iscariot.

Surflight Theatre, after a thrilling return from bankruptcy in 2017, under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Steve Steiner, presents their first Mainstage production of 2018 with Nice Work If You Can Get It. A hilarious new screwball comedy, Nice Work pokes fun at the Prohibition era in a clash of elegant socialites and boorish bootleggers. This show is set to the glorious songs of George and Ira Gershwin including "Fascinating Rhythm", "Someone to Watch Over Me", and of course the title track "Nice Work If You Can Get It." The musical is sure to thrill the Long Beach Island audiences with its unforgettable score, lyrics, and vibrant dancing.

Stepinac Alumni Theatre will continue their annual Shakespeare Under the Stars, with a Limited Engagement of The Bard's classic comedy; Twelfth Night, or What You Will.

Stepinac Alumni Theatre will continue their annual Shakespeare Under the Stars, with a Limited Engagement of The Bard's classic comedy; Twelfth Night, or What You Will.