CAST OF CHARACTERS

Diva Donna (Black) Donna Summer in her 50s at the pinnacle of her career. Black woman. She is warm and wise. She has lived a life and is our emcee for the evening. Also plays MARY GAINES, Donna’s mother. Professional singer, including belt to E and believable strong mix to G above the staff. Must move well. Leading role.

 

Disco Donna  (Black)  Donna Summer in her late teens and 20s. Black woman. She is riding the wave of her skyrocketing career from Boston to Germany to the discotheques of Los Angeles and Manhattan. She is charismatic and strong as she navigates this world of fame for the first time. Professional singer, including belt to E and believable strong mix to G above the staff. Must dance well. Leading role. 

 

Duckling Donna  (Black)  Donna Summer as a pre-teen. Early 20s to play younger. Black woman. She is trying to find her voice amid a large Boston family. She has gumption, and yet is also fragile. Also plays MIMI,  (Black) Donna’s oldest daughter. Pre-teen who will become professional singer, including belt to E and believable strong mix to G above the staff. Must move well. Leading role.

 

Bruce Sudano (White) Late 30s/early 40s. White man. Bass player for Brooklyn Dreams and Donna’s eventual husband. Steadfast, supportive, bright and witty. Track includes two duets with Donna. Tenor or Bari-tenor, comfortable on G above middle C. Must move well. Leading role.

 

Joyce (White) 30s. Neil Bogart’s business-savvy wife. One of Donna’s few friends in the industry. Must sing and move/dance well. Track includes a featured vocal section. Supporting role. 

 

Andrew Gaines (Black) 40s. Black man. Donna’s father. Ex-military. Has stern exterior but loves his children more than anything. Should move well. Supporting role. 

 

Neil Bogart (White) Late 30s. White man. The head of Casablanca Records and Donna’s mentor.

Works hard and parties harder. Must sing and move/dance well. Supporting role.

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Mary Ellen (Black) Donna’s younger sister. Preteen. Early 20s to play younger. Black woman. Supportive. Also plays BROOKLYN: Donna’s middle daughter. Spunky and outspoken. Must sing well and be able to perform a solo gospel riff. Must move/dance well. Supporting role.

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Dara (Black) Donna’s youngest sister. Preteen. Early 20s to play younger. Black woman. Sometimes at odds with Donna as only little sisters can be. Also plays AMANDA: Donna’s youngest daughter. Imaginative. Adores her mother. Must sing well. Must move/dance well. Supporting role. 

 

Adult Mary Ellen 20s/30s. Black woman. Much like her younger counterpart, she supports Donna when her sister needs her most. Must sing well and be able to perform a solo gospel riff. Must move/dance well. Supporting role. 

 

Adult Dara 20s/30s. Black woman. Compassionate. Helps Donna during one of her darkest times. Also plays NORM BROKAW: Donna’s William Morris agent. Must sing well. Must move/dance well. Supporting role. 

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Ensemble Men & Women 20s-40s. All Ethnicities. Strong dancer/singer/actors of the ensemble to play various roles (Boyfriends, Publicists, Attorneys, Churchgoers, Club-goers, Family Members, Policemen, Nurses, Musicians, Record Executives, Doctors, etc.).