The Queen of Disco has her eyes on Broadway. The Donna Summer bio-musical Summer may head to New York as soon as spring 2018, with the New York Post reporting the show is aiming for an April opening at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre.
The 46th Street venue is currently home to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which will play its final performance January 14, 2018.
Summer made its world premiere last month at La Jolla Playhouse; the out-of-town engagement is playing an extended run at the California theatre through December 24.
Directed by Jersey Boys Tony winner Des McAnuff and choreographed by Sergio Trujillo, the musical stars three women, who each play Summer at various stages of her life and career: Storm Lever (Freaky Friday) as Duckling Donna, Ariana DeBose (Hamilton, A Bronx Tale) as Disco Donna, and Tony winner LaChanze (The Color Purple) as Diva Donna.The musical features a book by McAnuff, Colman Domingo, and Robert Cary, and a score composed of over 20 of Summer’s hits, including “MacArthur Park,” “No More Tears (Enough is Enough),” “Bad Girls,” and “She Works Hard for the Money.”
While Summer may be on the fast track to Broadway, a number of other recording legend bio-musicals are on the horizon, including The Cher Show (like Summer, featuring three women as the title icon) and the Temptations musical Ain't Too Proud, both of which are expected to play New York in fall 2018.
