Theatre Review: 'The Donna Summer Musical' Gateway Theater

By Cindi Sansone-Braff

Photo  Jeff Bellante

Summer: The Donna Summer Musical at the Gateway is Hot Stuff!

Summer: The Donna Summer Musical is chockful of great songs, upbeat dance numbers, and dazzling costumes. The book is by Colman Domingo, Robert Cary, and Des McAnuff, and the music and lyrics are by Donna Summer, Giorgio Moroder, Paul Jabara, and others.  

This biographical jukebox musical opened on Broadway in 2018 at the Lunt-Fontanne Theater and featured over 20 of Summer’s well-known hits, including “She Works Hard for the Money,” “MacArthur Park,” and “On the Radio.” This moving tribute to the “Queen of Disco” highlights Donna Summer’s meteoric rise to stardom and her struggles with substance abuse, suicidal thoughts, and haunting childhood memories. Summer’s deep faith in God ultimately became her saving grace.

Under the astute direction of Broadway veteran Jenny Laroche, this polished production features a spectacular trio of talented performers, each portraying the celebrated Disco Diva during various stages of her life. Grace Capeless as Duckling Donna, the pre-teen version of Summer, captivated the audience every time she stepped onstage. Afra Hines was riveting as Disco Donna, a young woman experiencing her first taste of fame and fortune. Renee Marie Titus gave a tour-de-force performance as Diva Donna, the mature, insightful, wise woman that Summer became.

The show opens on a high note with Renee Marie Titus strutting her stuff and singing her heart out to “The Queen is Back.” She showcased her stellar vocals with her heartfelt delivery of the gospel song “I Believe in Jesus.”  

Grace Capeless delivered a memorable performance as Duckling Donna, displaying her strong acting and vocal skills throughout the show. This young, multitalented performer already has an impressive resume, including Broadway credits! I loved her renditions of “I Remember Yesterday” and “Pandora’s Box.” Capeless also portrayed Mimi Sudano, Donna’s oldest daughter,  perfectly playing this part.

Afra Hines’s depiction of Disco Donna was spot-on. Hines is a superstar in her own right, and her sensual dance moves and powerhouse vocals were highlighted during the hit song “Bad Girls.” Carmine Mastrokostas delivered a convincing and charismatic performance as Bruce Sudano, Donna Summer’s devoted husband. The onstage chemistry between Mastrokostas and Hines set the stage on fire. Their “Heaven Knows” duet was one of those magical onstage moments that stay with you long after you exit the theater.

Christian Brailsford gave a noteworthy performance as Andrew Gaines, Summer’s loving but strict father. Renee Marie Titus aced her dual role with her moving depiction of Summer’s mother, Mary Gaines. John Rochette, as Neil Bogart, the head of Casablanca Records and Donna’s mentor, and Jessica Lorion as his business-savvy wife, Joyce Bogart, were believable in their respective roles.

Kudos to the multitalented company Maggie Bergman, De’Ja-Simone Crumpton, Nichole Forde, Anthony Garcia, Haley Hannah, Gigi Lewis, Jessica Lorion, Michael Marrero, Melissa Mattos, Jade Milam, Victoria Price, Nia Simone Smith, and Dan Teixeira.

There is essentially no set, just fabulous prop designs by Brittany Loesch that bring each scene to life. The outstanding original costume design by Janine Loesch added greatly to the show’s overall success. “Last Dance,” a showstopping finale, had Diva Donna, Disco Donna, Duckling Donna, and the whole company flaunting their fabulous costumes, much to the audience’s delight.

A special shoutout goes to the creative team with Hair and Make-up by Emma Estelle Beneck and Lighting Design by Kim Hanson. The impressive rain effect during “I Love You” with the Sound Design by Jonah Verdon and Projection Design by William Milligan is worth the price of the ticket. Under the guidance of Des McAnuff and Sergio Trujillo, Kyli Rae recreated the original Broadway choreography for The Gateway stage.

Heaven knows you should drop everything and get tickets for Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, the hottest show of the 2023 summer!

The show runs through July 16, 2023. To purchase tickets, contact the Box Office at (631) 286-1133, or visit the website at https://TheGateway.org.

Cindi Sansone-Braff is an award-winning playwright. She has a BFA in Theatre from UCONN and is a member of the Dramatists Guild. She is the author of “Grant Me a Higher Love,” “Why Good People Can’t Leave Bad Relationships,” and “Confessions of a Reluctant Long Island Psychic.” Her full-length Music Drama, “Beethoven, The Man, The Myth, The Music,” is published by Next Stage Press. www.Grantmeahigherlove.com.