Summer Lovin?

This season's touring Broadway theater package at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts has some interesting shows in it, but could have been ordered a little better. Two "jukebox musicals" were programmed back to back; even though Jimmy Buffett's Escape to Margaritaville was here just a few weeks ago, it's now time for Summer: The Donna Summer Musical. Fortunately, in musical style, narrative tone, and other ways, the two could hardly be more different.

Unlike most jukebox musicals -- shows built around one performer's pre-existing song catalog -- Summer doesn't construct a wholly fictional narrative to contain the songs of Donna Summer. Instead, it presents itself as a chronicle of her actual life, from childhood to her final years. It uses a particularly theatrical storytelling device to do this, giving us three different versions of Donna: the young "Duckling," the golden era "Disco," and the reflective "Diva." The three speak to each other across time, and hand off parts of the story in a non-chronological order.

What sounds potentially confusing or arty on paper is actually one of the most effective aspects of the product. This show isn't really interested in making substantial characters out of anyone but Donna Summer, so rather than make it essentially a one-woman show, this technique of splitting the character among three performers gives more texture and variety to the musical. It's also a good way to convey inner monologue to the audience without having a character address it directly (though that also happens at points in the show).

All three of the main performers in this touring show are exceptional. Any one of them could carry a musical alone, but in this format, the audience is essentially treated to three stars. Each is as good as the next, in my view -- though for what it's worth, Dan'yelle Williamson (as Diva Donna) actually brought the crowd to a full, minute-long standing ovation in the middle of the show with her emotional rendition of "Friends Unknown."

For certain, Summer wouldn't be as entertaining a night without these three performers. There are other fun elements to the show, like a cast of mostly women playing both male and female supporting parts, and bright white sets that reflect whatever light is cast upon them. But the story is a bit superficial, for the most part. Truly profound aspects of Donna Summer's life, from abuse as a child to a divorce to a cancer diagnosis, don't get a lot of explanation in the dialogue. It's left to the performers to "sing it out" and make us feel something despite the slim context -- and time and again, they manage to do just that. (Williamson even sells a scene that overtly whitewashes some homophobic comments made by the real Donna Summer. The script manufacturers an excuse/apology for it that Summer herself never gave, but it works well enough within the show.)

And needless to say, this show might be a "must see" if you're into disco, because aside from a few quiet interludes, the musical is one rockin' dance number after another. All told, I'd say it's a solid B, more fun than I expected. The show is here in Denver for the next couple of weeks, if you're interested in checking it out.