Get ready to sing Donna Summer’s all-time greatest hits on Norwegian Cruise Line’s next new cruise ship.
Norwegian Cruise Line has announced that the new show will be titled “Summer: The Donna Summer Musical” and will debut with Norwegian aboard Norwegian Prima, which is currently expected to welcome passengers on board on its first sailings next month, in August 2022.
‘Summer: The Donna Summer Musical’ is a Tony Award nominated show that tells the story of Donna Summer’s rise to fame. The musical history covers the life of Donna Summer during some of the most pivotal periods of her career including: Diva Donna, Disco Donna and Duckling Donna.
“The legendary Donna Summer is an inspiration to many, and we’ve chosen performers who would honor her and match the same level of star power and talent. We continue to bring Broadway-level entertainment and talent world class to our fleet, and we’re thrilled that guests can watch a musical they can actually take part in. The new Prima Theater makes for a truly thrilling spectacle, and we know guests will be captivated by the moving story of the life of Donna Summer and her timeless music,” said Richard Ambrose, senior vice president of entertainment and cruise programs for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.
The first individual to star in the new show aboard Norwegian Prima will be Kimberley Locke. Locke is an American Idol Season 2 finalist. This show at sea will be the first of its kind for Kimberley Locke. Locke will star as Donna Summer and specifically act as Diva Donna. “Fans will be able to see the same charisma that brought Locke to the final three contestants of her ‘American Idol’ season in this role. Locke is also well known for her work on television and Broadway, where she recently starred in the Kristin Chenoweth’s solo show, ‘For The Girls’,” Norwegian Cruise Line said of the announcement. “It’s an incredible honor to play Donna Summer with a very talented cast in this much-loved musical,” Locke said.
“Donna Summer’s inspiring story and her pioneering talent paved the way for so many of today’s brightest singers. She left an immeasurable impact on music and culture, and I am thrilled to tell her story to guests from around the world aboard the magnificent Norwegian Prima,” said Kimberley Locke.
The next person announced is Valerie Curlingford who will play the role of Disco Donna. Curlingford is “an extraordinary talent from the Netherlands”, says Norwegian Cruise Line. Curlingford will play Disco Donna, when Donna Summer is in her late teens and early twenties.
Duckling Donna will be played by D’Nasya Jordan, who starred as Little Inez in “Hairspray.” The Duckling Donna character shows Donna Summer growing up in Boston, Massachusetts in the 1960s.
The new show aboard Norwegian Prima will feature more than 20 Donna Summers hits, including ‘Bad Girls’, ‘Last Dance’ and ‘Hot Stuff’. Norwegian Cruise Line hopes the show will provide viewers and guests with a fuller understanding and appreciation of the inspiration behind Donna Summer’s most popular songs.
The musical is expected to last 85 minutes and will be the first of its kind at sea, as the Prima Theater will transform itself into a full disco setting. This will allow guests to participate in the show by dancing to the biggest hits of the summer.
‘Summer: The Donna Summer Musical’ will be just one of the shows on board Norwegian Prima, which will take place at the Prima Theatre. “Noise Boys!”, an award-winning original beat boxing show produced by Nic Doodson, will also be featured on board. Doodson is also the creator of “Choir of Man,” which is Norwegian Cruise Line’s highest-rated entertainment show currently on board Norwegian Encore and Norwegian Escape.
