Gracious Ndungu, Tierra Strickland and Aniyah Serrell Lee portray three versions of the great Donna Summer in a musical at Toby’s Dinner Theatre in Columbia. Photo by Jeri Tidwell Photography

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When I told a friend I was going to see Summer: The Donna Summer Musical at Toby’s Dinner Theatre, she said something like, “I have no desire to see a show where one person sings.”

On the contrary, many people sing in this show, which is on stage through November 1. In fact, sometimes three actors, playing different versions of Summer at different ages, sing together.

The musical tells the story of Summer’s life from her early days in Boston with six siblings, to her days leading to international stardom — the good and the bad. Although you’ll recognize most of the songs, you may not know much about her life.

To be sure, it wasn’t an easy one. Summer came into the world as Donna Adrian Gaines, born in 1948. During her music career she was nominated for 18 Grammys and won five. Along the way she became known as The Queen of Disco, a moniker she didn’t particularly like because she feared it might pigeon-hole her music.

The Donna Summer Musical debuted at the La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego in November 2017, just five years after the singer’s death from lung cancer. It opened on Broadway in April 2018 and lasted just 289 performances, closing that same year. Still, local theaters have taken on the jukebox musical, including the Hippodrome in Baltimore four years ago.

One of the three songwriters responsible for the musical’s book is actor and playwright Colman Domingo. He has appeared in films such as Selma, Lincoln, The Butler and the revised The Birth of a Nation. Domingo described the musical as “[Summer’s] final concert, what she would want to give to her fans, to her husband and to her daughters.”

New actors bring talent

In the Toby’s production, the role of Summer is played by three actors, each depicting different stages in her life. The eldest Donna is played by Tierra Strickland, the youngest by Gracious Ndungu, and the middle by Aniyah Serrell Lee. I would be hard-pressed to pick who played Summer best; all three, newcomers to Toby’s, were very good.

Toby’s regulars you’ll recognize include David James (Pete, Brian, Norman), Patrick Gover (Don and Helmuth, one of Donna’s husbands), Jeffrey Shankle (Neil) and Jordan B. Stocksdale (Giorgio, Gunther).

As ever, Toby’s orchestra performs live music; nothing is recorded. The musical numbers are under the direction of Ross Scott Rawlings. Jessica Bennett handled the choreography, and the performance features a lot of spirited dancing.

During the show most likely you’ll want to get up and dance, too, but that is not encouraged. In fact, before the show the host asks everyone to remain seated, but that didn’t diminish the audience’s enjoyment.

Audience from all over DMV

As usual, Toby’s audience comes from a wide area. Michelle from Frederick, Maryland, who was celebrating her birthday with a friend, said, “Amazing voices — what ranges! — and we’re having a ball.”

Margaret and Phillip, who drove up from Reston, Virginia, said, “This is our first trip here. We both saw Donna in concert years ago, and we’re so happy to relive that great music.”

This jukebox musical is what you might call a feel-good show, though some scenes aren’t exactly uplifting: The show touches on all aspects of Summer’s life, including domestic abuse and the use of drugs, which are so common in the life of many celebrities. For that reason, the show is not appropriate for children.

The sets are kept to a minimum (scenic design by Shane Lowry), and not many are required. The nostalgic show wardrobe is a plus (costume design by Sarah King and Rose Ryon). As the decades pass, expect quite a few costume changes.

Be aware that strobe, haze and fog are used. The audience is told in advance in case anyone has a medical condition (lighting design by Lynn Joslin; sound design by Mark Smedley).

You’ll recognize songs like “Hot Stuff,” “On the Radio,” “Last Dance” and “She Works Hard for the Money.”

Heaven Knows, you’ll love the show. And you’ll probably remember hearing a lot of these songs On the Radio.

The show runs through Nov. 1 at Toby’s Dinner Theatre, located at 5900 Symphony Woods Rd., Columbia.

There are eight shows a week, with matinees on Sunday and Wednesday. Tickets range from $84 to $92 for adults, including lunch or dinner. People 65 and older pay $74 for Tuesday evening or any Wednesday performance.

Because of the construction of the new Howard County Performing Arts Center on the property, parking is now at the lot next to the theater. It’s an easy walk, but there is also a shuttle. For tickets, call the box office at (410) 730-8311 or visit tobysdinnertheatre.com.