Summer: The Donna Summer Musical Turns Up the Heat at Toby's Dinner Theatre

The Queen of Disco is back, and she's holding court in Columbia. Toby's Dinner Theatre is presenting Summer: The Donna Summer Musical through November 1, 2026, and the production brings one of pop music's most iconic voices to the intimate in-the-round stage with all the sparkle, sequins, and mirror balls a disco fan could hope for.

Written by Colman Domingo, Robert Cary, and Des McAnuff, Summer tells the story of Donna Summer's life through the songs that made her a legend. The clever conceit at the heart of the show is that three actresses share the title role. Diva Donna, the established star looking back on her journey, serves as narrator and guide. Disco Donna carries the bulk of the story as the young woman riding the wave of the disco era to international fame. Duckling Donna represents the girl growing up in a strict Boston household, insecure but already blessed with a voice that would carry her far beyond the church choir. At Toby's, these roles are played by Tierra Strickland, Aniyah Serrell Lee, and Gracious Ndungu, and the moments when all three come together are among the evening's most powerful.

The production moves through the highs and lows of Summer's remarkable life, from her early years in Boston to her breakout in Europe, her marriage to German actor Helmuth Sommer and the painful choice to put her career ahead of motherhood, her rise to superstardom under Casablanca Records head Neil Bogart, her eventual break with the label, and her enduring partnership with musician and husband Bruce Sudano. Along the way, the show also touches on the personal challenges she faced, from a threatening former partner to the health diagnosis that would ultimately end her life, while still landing as an uplifting celebration of an extraordinary woman.

And then there is the music. The songbook stretches across four decades, from 1968's "White Boys" to "The Queen Is Back" from her final studio album, and hits every essential stop in between. "Love to Love You Baby," "Bad Girls," "Hot Stuff," "On the Radio," "Heaven Knows," "Dim All the Lights," "She Works Hard for the Money," and "MacArthur Park" all get their moment, some staged as the studio sessions and concert performances that created them, others woven into pivotal turns in Summer's life. The show builds to the Oscar-winning "Last Dance," with a finale designed to send audiences out on a high.

Directors Mark Minnick and Jessica Bennett have shaped the material with care, keeping Summer's story front and center so that the songs feel like the soundtrack to a life rather than a string of greatest hits. Bennett also choreographs, and the dancing throughout is consistently energetic and precise. Shane Lowry's scenic design makes smart use of the theatre's compact space, while Lynn Joslin's lighting delivers both the glittering disco experience audiences crave and more intimate moments framed with striking precision. Sarah King and Rose Ryon's costumes capture the era in all its glory, from bell bottoms and long coats to shimmering gowns for the three Donnas, and Jayson Kueberth's hair and wig design completes the period look. A live six-piece orchestra keeps the beat pulsing all night.

The supporting cast is strong across the board. Jeffrey Shankle brings fast-talking charm to Neil Bogart, Zachary Spafford is warm and believable as Bruce Sudano, Otega Okurume plays Summer's demanding father, Nadja Tomazewski appears as mentor figure Joyce Bogart, and Terrell Chambers stands out as a dancer in an ensemble packed with talent.

Of course, an evening at Toby's is about more than the show. Your ticket includes the theatre's celebrated dinner buffet, this time featuring themed dishes with names inspired by Summer's hits, plus a signature show cocktail served in a collectible glass you can take home. Arrive hungry.

Summer: The Donna Summer Musical runs approximately one hour and 45 minutes and is recommended for ages 13 and up due to mature themes including drug use, domestic abuse, and strong language. Fog, haze, and strobe effects are used. Toby's Dinner Theatre is located at 5900 Symphony Woods Road in Columbia, Maryland. Guests should check the theatre's website for current parking information, as construction on the new Toby's facility has temporarily shifted parking to an adjacent lot with shuttle service to the entrance.

The summer season may be winding down, but Summer is just getting started. Catch it at Toby's before it takes its last dance on November 1.