Review: Donna Summer jukebox musical captures the Queen of Disco in all her incarnations

Donna Summer grew up singing in church, raising her voice in praise and prayer, but became a superstar by lowering her voice in orgasmic moans singing her breakout song, “Love to Love You Baby.”

That conflict between public persona and private life is a running thread throughout “Summer: The Donna Summer Musical” playing through Thursday at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach.

Three actresses play Summer at various stages of her life. Brittny Smith plays Diva Donna, the older, wiser Donna who opens the show and explains that this is the concert of a lifetime, so she’ll look back on all of her life. Charis Gullage plays Disco Donna, the Donna the world knows best at the beginning and height of her career. And Amahri Edwards-Jones plays Duckling Donna, so named because as a little girl, Donna thought she was ugly. Each actress portrays Summer beautifully, both in appearance and manner, and performs her songs with gusto.

Sometimes Smith, Gullage, and Edwards-Jones interact on stage — advising, adoring, and reminiscing with each other — including touching moments, as when Duckling Donna tells Disco Donna that she wants to grow up to be her. Smith also plays Donna’s mother, Mary Gaines, and Edwards-Jones doubles as Donna’s eldest daughter, Mimi.

Although the show goes back and forth in the timeline of Summer’s life, it is cohesive. It begins as a concert, with a big production number featuring Diva Donna singing “The Queen is Back.” It switches to a recording studio in Germany with Disco Donna before she was famous, so shy about making those orgasmic moans that she asks everyone in the studio to close their eyes.

Scenes from Summer’s life are portrayed by the talented ensemble. There are scenes with her protective parents, her first real taste of freedom after joining a German production of “Hair,” and her struggle to be true to the gift of her voice while capitalizing on her talent.

This is a jukebox musical, and all of Summer’s big hits are here. “MacArthur Park” is used to illustrate how the star could really sing and not just moan through a song. “No More Tears” becomes the backdrop for an episode of domestic abuse.

After explaining the inspiration for “She Works Hard for the Money,” the song is used to show how Summer took control of her career from record producer and Casablanca Records founder Neil Bogart. “Dim All the Lights” is one of the highlights of the show, morphing from a sexy anthem to a touching goodbye to a beloved friend.

”Summer: The Donna Summer Musical” is an energetic show. The audience is encouraged to dance and sing along. Fans of Donna Summer will revel in this homage to the Queen of Disco and the 1970s, but there’s enough fun here for even the casual fan.

If you go

“Summer: The Donna Summer Musical” runs through Thursday at the Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach.

For tickets and more information, call 561-832-7469 or visit Kravis.org.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Review: Donna Summer musical shows disco queen in multiple incarnations