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Elon grad to take the stage in Donna Summer musical

Her music is iconic, but the story behind musical powerhouse Donna Summer's rise to fame is even more interesting.

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Kathy Hanrahan, Out
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DURHAM, N.C. — Her music is iconic, but the story behind musical powerhouse Donna Summer's rise to fame is even more interesting.
"I didn't realize how influential she was for female musicians in the industry," said Mara Lucas, who is a "swing" performer in "Summer: The Donna Summer Musical," which plays Durham Performing Arts Center next week.
Mara Lucas (© 2014 | Kristina Sherk Photography | www.Kristinasherk.com)

Lucas praised Summer for fighting to be appropriately paid for her music, opening the door for women to get what they deserve in the industry.

"She really was the first person to kind of stand up and say, 'I’m not going to let you take my money. I'm not going to let you take advantage of me," Lucas said.

Dan’yelle Williamson (Diva Donna), Alex Hairston (Disco Donna), Olivia Elease Hardy (Duckling Donna) and the Company of SUMMER (© Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade)

As a swing performer, Lucas understudies the female speaking roles in the show and is the main backup for "Disco Donna," which is the iteration of Donna who details her disco days.

"Disco is the transformation of her journey from being a small town church singer from Boston to being this international superstar," Lucas said. "A lot of the show follows her in that transition and in the position of taking her power back from her former representation."

Having played Broadway, this is the musical's first national tour. While the music is lively and usually gets audiences dancing at the end, Lucas said a performance in St. Louis inspired one fan to to come back to party for multiple nights.

"We had a man in St. Louis who came to the show multiple times who wore different colored satin button-downs and danced every time during (the song) 'I Feel Love,'" Lucas said. "Sometimes you need the reminder that you really do move people."

Dan’yelle Williamson (Diva Donna) and the Company of SUMMER (© Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade)

Lucas said she is excited to return to North Carolina. The Virginia native is a 2015 graduate of Elon University. This will be her first time performing at DPAC.

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