Ariana DeBose sets goals, hones in on the finish line with laser focus, and crushes them. She set her sights on Broadway and made her debut in Bring It On The Musical, following that up with Motown The Musical, Pippin, Hamilton, and A Bronx Tale The Musical. Then she set out to conquer roles that posed a greater challenge to her singing, acting, and dancing abilities and snagged the role of Disco Donna in Summer: The Donna Summer Musical.
The Tony nominee says that Donna is the embodiment of a true triple-threat role. “Portraying Donna Summer takes it a step farther, so I’m proud to carry on this tradition of what it means to be 100 percent full out, no marking in all of the areas,” she says in the video above.
That chance is what makes her proudest upon reflection in this moment. “I was given the opportunity to create a role that is inspired by not only Donna but so many women that I aspire to be like: Debbie Allen, Charlotte d’Amboise, Donna McKechnie, true triple threats in their time. Chita Rivera,” she says. “They are my theatrical icons, and Jan Maxwell, too—a triple threat in my heart. It’s been such a long time since we’ve seen a true triple threat role on Broadway.”
LaChanze, Ariana DeBose, and Storm Lever in Summer: The Donna Summer Musical
