As for the show itself. It has its problems - namely a paint-by-numbers, watered down, wafer thin book.
But It also has a lot of strengths, first and foremost two powerhouse, rafter raising performances from La Chanze and Ariana DeBose. The show also looks and sounds very expensive - the set, costumes, and sound design are very well done. Plus, it has all the iconic Donna Summer hits Donna's fan base is craving.
It was mostly enjoyable, but I found myself tearful at the end.
**SPOILER*** The final image projected on the back wall of the stage is a large portrait of Donna Summer herself. Seeing the wistful expression on Donna's face in that image made me feel very sad considering some of her struggles we had just seen. She started her career in musical theater (HAIR). One wonders if she ever desired to return to that world but couldn't once she became the Queen of Disco, a title we are told she was very ambivalent about and felt boxed in by. I wonder what she might have done If she had greater artistic freedom and creative control over the direction of her career? We lost Donna way too soon. She was a singular talent who I, personally, miss very much. |
