Robert Donnell has produced “a ton of rock concerts” based out of his downtown Hudson Street business and studio in Hoboken. But now, he’s debuting a musical called “Disco Daze” that will premiere at the Clam Broth House (36 Newark St.) on Friday, Sept. 9 at 9:30 p.m.
The show chronicles the night shift of Joey Saturday, one of the last live radio DJ’s.
In an interview at the Clam Broth House last week, Donnell said that last year he tried to think of new ideas for a show he could produce, and when he was driving around in his car, the idea came to him with some help from his 13-year-old daughter.
“We thought about a lot of different ideas, but I remembered that every time a disco song came on the radio, my 13-year-old would sing along,” Donnell said. “So I did some research on disco and found that it was a lot of fun. One of the songs I thought of was ‘YMCA,’ and everyone knows the song and the dance, and it’s just fun.”
‘Disco Daze’ will premiere at the Clam Broth House on Friday, Sept. 9 at 9:30 p.m.
____________
“Hundreds of people came out for casting,” he said. “We have a musical director by the name of Frosty Lawson, and he was the musical director for the Village People. There are seasoned, great musicians. The best part about this is the cast is very excited, and they’re all professionals. They’re not people who just came on the scene.”
The show features six musicians, four actors, and four dancers.
Disco Daze begins with DJ Joey playing a disco song and lamenting about the disco days, wondering why people don’t play those types of songs anymore. Callers join in with memories of their favorite singers, like Donna Summer.
Then, Disco Daze’s version of Donna Summer’s appears, alongside a six-piece disco band and three Broadway singers and dancers.
Another caller phones in during the show wondering why radio stations don’t play the YMCA by the Village People. Then, it’s the “Village People” who appear at the Clam Broth House.
“People will be dancing and out of their seat the moment the music starts,” Donnell said.
Disco Daze is described as both a Broadway type show and a musical act.
The show, premiering in Hoboken, is set to tour college campuses around the country, and will include dancing opportunities and giveaways.
The show is described by Donnell as a musical that falls into the category of shows like “Rock of Ages,” “Mamma Mia,” and “Jersey Boys.”
“The show brings [audience members] through the happy time when the Vietnam War was over, protest songs were out, and music was meant to make you smile again,” according to a press release.
Songs in the show include I Will Survive, Disco Inferno, Y.M.C.A, and We Are Family, according to a release.
Donnell’s other work
Donnell, in addition to working on musicals and plays, also has other ventures out of his downtown office.
Donnell and a business partner helped build and open the Meadowlands Convention Center in Secaucus in 1990, but sold the property a few years later to Madison Square Garden.
His Hoboken-based business is also currently working with Joe Frazier, the famous boxer, on different projects.
Donnell said his studio previously was used to produce Latin records, but recently stopped because “the music industry changes every 10 seconds.”
He said the show on Sept. 9 is expected to be “a hit” before it travels around the country.
The Clam Broth House will have a $20 cover charge the night of the event, Sept. 9, Donnell said.
“All the tables will be cleared out, the band will be by the front window,” he said. “There’s nothing like this that’s offered as an alternative to what else is happening in Hoboken. Every other bar basically just plays rock music. If people want to have fun and they want to dance, they should come out to the show.”
Interested parties can head to the Clam Broth House at 9:30 p.m. on Sept. 9 to see the show.
Ray Smith may be reached at RSmith@hudsonreporter.com