"Hot Stuff" in Lawrenceville: The Donna Summer Musical

Disco Sizzles at Lawrenceville's Aurora TheatrePhoto byAurora Theatre

By Doc Lawrence

After a 2018 run on Broadway and a 2021 national tour, the “Queen of Disco” arrived on the Aurora Theatre stage in Lawrenceville’s Arts Center. SUMMER: The Donna Summer Musical lovingly documents the legacy of Donna Summer as a soundtrack of her top hits guiding the audience through three stages of her extraordinary life. “Duckling Donna” is a preteen girl with a dream, starting out in Boston. “Disco Donna” finds the beginnings of success in her late teens and 20s. Then in her 50s, “Diva Donna” is shining at the height of her career. Featuring classic Donna Summer tunes like Hot Stuff, Bad Girls and No More Tears (Enough Is Enough), this electric musical inspires the audience to sing along as they learn the backstory behind the disco music powerhouse.

“So many know Donna Summer’s music but don’t know the steps she took to get there and the barriers that she had to tear down. It is with great pride that we bring her story to Lawrenceville,” said Aurora Theatre Co-Founder and Producing Artistic Director Ann-Carol Pence.

Three extraordinary women take on the role of Donna in her various stages of life. Jessenia Ingram plays Duckling Donna, Desiré Gaston became Disco Donna and Marliss Ameia is Diva Donna.

They deliver a pounding performance, so fasten your seatbelts.

With an original book by Colman Domingo, Robert Cray, and Des McAnuff and songs by Donna Summer, Giorgio Moroder, Paul Jabara and many more, SUMMER: The Donna Summer Musical is lovingly imagined by a terrifically talented team of Aurora professionals.This regional production is directed and choreographed by award-winning director, writer and Broadway choreographer Patdro Harris, with musical direction by Ann-Carol Pence.

Now in its 27th Season, Aurora Theatre productions are comprised of Broadway plays and musicals alongside exciting contemporary theatre. Additionally, Aurora produces concerts, stand-up comedy, children’s programs, as well as Atlanta’s only professional Spanish language theatre, Teatro Aurora. Aurora has garnered numerous accolades including the Governor’s Award for the Arts & Humanities, Atlanta Magazine’s “Best of Atlanta” for Best Inclusive Programming, Gwinnett Chamber’s Inaugural Moxie Award for Outstanding Woman-led Organization and Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s Award for Excellence in Arts.

SUMMER: The Donna Summer Musical continues through April 9. Tickets may be purchased online at tickets.auroratheatre.com or by calling the Box Office at 678.226.6222.