‘Saturday Night Fever’ Brings the Heat to Toby’s

Patrick Gover as Tony Manero and 
Rachel Cahoon as Stephanie Mangano

Remember the disco era of the 70’s and 80’s? It was a cultural phenomenon with its rhythmic beats from the era’s distinctive dancing songs, platform shoes, bell bottoms, wide collar shirts, glittering dresses, the radiating colorful lights of the discotheques with their iconic mirrored disco balls hovering over the dance floor. The 1977 release of the film Saturday Night Fever starring John Travolta launched disco to the stratosphere. Some hated disco music but far more loved it.

So, if you enjoyed disco, or if you are curious what this craze is about, put on your boogie shoes and head to the funky disco inferno known as Toby’s, The Dinner Theatre in Columbia. There you will see the sparkling jukebox musical Saturday Night Fever, based on that smash film with those hip-swerving moves, 70’s costumes, super performances, and enjoy the beats of the toe-tapping music all wrapped up into one groovy disco ball.

The book is by Nan Knighton (in collaboration with Arlene Phillips, Paul Nicholas, and Robert Stigwood), and the songs mostly align to the film’s soundtrack, which in turn were mostly written and performed by the fabulous Bee Gees. Conductor Ross Scott Rawlings and the seven-piece orchestra do justice to the magnificent catalogue of songs. (Catina McLagan and Justin Hardman take the baton in other performances.)

The production at Toby’s, under the direction of Helen Hayes Award winner Mark Minnick, features those classic Bee Gees songs performed by a young and vibrant cast with outstanding vocals and spectacular dancing choreographed by Christen Svingos. It also tells a dramatic story: a boy-meets-girl saga with some ups and downs, highs and lows, a few laughs, and tragedy thrown into the mix with the songs neatly interwoven to advance the plot. All with the distinctive Brooklyn accent.

White hot disco songs, such as “Staying Alive,” “Boogie Shoes,” “Disco Inferno,” “Jive Talkin’,” “Night Fever,” “Nights on Broadway,” “More than a Woman,” “If I Can’t Have You,” and “How Deep is Your Love” will make you want to get out on the floor to dance, but don’t!

Yes, leave the dancing to the performers; they do it so well and with a high degree of energy. Ms. Svingos’ choreography is creative and precise. The in-the-round stage is used efficiently, with the Company managing to dance as individuals or couples yet blending as if it was a single unit. I really liked the way the performers pulled it off.  There were several outstanding numbers in this regard but “Disco Inferno” is a sure-fire showstopper.

While the action takes place in several places in and around Bay Ridge, a Brooklyn, NY neighborhood in the 1970’s, the 2001 Odessey disco club is the principal venue. Scenic designer Shane Lowry helped create the atmosphere with disco-related scenery, such as a colorful light panel on the wall, the mirrored disco ball above the floor,  and the 2001 Odessey sign among others. On the balcony platform, a bedroom was designed to allow the lead Patrick Gover as Tony Manero to change shirts and preen and flex in the mirror. Mr. Lowry and his set construction team also displayed some neighborhood markings and a rendering of the Verrazzano Bridge, which is near Bay Ridge.

Lynn Joslin’s lighting design further enhanced it with laser lights in the club’s walls. Period costumes including the legendary white disco suit worn by the lead were designed by Heather C. Jackson. Jayson Kueberth’s wig design was the crowning touch. And Mark Smedley’s sound design was excellent, and the volume was loud and clear.

"...put on your boogie shoes and head to the funky disco inferno known as Toby’s, The Dinner Theatre in Columbia."

The story centers on the aforementioned Tony Manero, a 19-year-old clerk in a paint store who is perpetually in a bad mood. And why wouldn’t he be?

His parents have no respect for him but adore his brother Frank Jr. who was a priest.  He has a dead-end job as a clerk in a paint store and doesn’t get along with his boss. His close friends are a bunch of goofballs with no clear direction for their futures and frequently gets on Tony’s nerves. His clingy ex-girlfriend Annette agitates Tony to no end with her ceaseless infatuation and can’t accept the fact he is done with her.

Tony’s only solace appears to be his dancing ability.  He goes to the 2001 on weekends with his buddies to hone his talent and perhaps find love. He spends his free time rehearsing routines and is anxious to participate in an upcoming dance contest.

Well, Tony spots an attractive and skillful dancer at the club named Stephanie Mangano. It was not love at first sight, at least on Stephanie’s part, and she like so many others plucks Tony’s nerves especially when she pronounces the word “in-ter-est-ing.” In return, she has little respect for Tony or ostensibly any attraction. Despite the hostility between them at the outset, this is a match made in Brooklyn.

Friction aside, Stephanie, who is desperate to leave Brooklyn and start a life of her own in Manhattan, acquiesces to Tony’s pressure and agrees to be his dance partner for the contest.

I will leave it there so that the surprise moments that occur later on are best left for the audience to experience.

As the vulnerable Tony, Patrick Gover, in a tour de force, does a masterful job in his return to the Toby’s stage. He had an abundance of practice playing cocky, egotistical, preening, strutting roles in the past like Gaston in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, bad boy Tommy DeVito in Jersey Boys where he received a Helen Hayes nomination and Rocky among others.

Charismatic and handsome, Mr. Gover maintains his swagger and Brooklyn accent throughout, strutting around the stage,  emulating the John Travolta version from the film. His dancing is supreme, often lifting his partner with agility and strength. Mr. Gover’s tenor vocal ability is versatile and on point. He only sings briefly in “More Than a Woman” and in group numbers “Boogie Shoes,” a song by Harry Casey and Richard Finch, and the production opener in “Staying Alive.” But he is moving in the finale “How Deep is Your Love” where he truly showcases his vocal skills.

As an actor, Mr. Gover excels. He displays an exuberant intensity with flashes of temper in his dialogue signifying the frustration he experiences in his life. Despite his sexy confidence and dancing prowess, he sees himself as an underdog and conveys it with aplomb, convincing the audience to root for him, gruffness and all.

Rachel Cahoon as Stephanie is also a standout. A Helen Hayes nominee for outstanding lead performer as Maria in 5he Toby’s production of The Sound of Music, Ms. Cahoon, who has a lovely singing voice, is wonderful in her solo “What Kind of Fool.”

Stephanie is a complex character. An ambitious young lady, she first tries to portray herself to Tony as a “snotty b****” but in reality, she’s not. Her demeanor gradually softens up, and she eventually falls in love with Tony. Ms. Cahoon’s acting is stellar as she reflects the evolving changes in her attitude.

Ben Ribler (Bobby), Benjamin Campion (Gus), Helen Hayes nominated Nicky Kaider (Double-J) and Helen hayes winner Joey Ellinghaus (Joey) form the gang of pals (The Faces) that accompany Tony to 2001. These characters all have their own tough guy personalities as they look up to Tony.

Mr. Kaider and Mr. Ellinghaus provide a good deal of comedic wisecrack moments and do it well. Mr. Ribler portrays a troubled guy with a lot of anxiety, especially after he found out his ex-girlfriend Pauline (Shannon Sullivan) is pregnant. Mr. Ribler’s duet with Ms. Sullivan in “Jive Talkin’” is excellent. Mr. Campion’s character Gus is a follower and is revealed that he lied about who attacked him. All four are energetic and skillful vocalists and dancers in the group numbers, especially “Boogie Shoes.”

Noah Mutterperl is effective as Tony’s older brother Frank Manero, Jr. He was a priest, which his parents admired, but left the church because of his increasing feelings of loneliness. When Tony took him clubbing, it really upset their religious mother, Flo.

KadeJah Oné plays Candy, the 2001’s resident singer. And Goodness can she sing!

She performs superbly with her Mezzo-Soprano vocals in group numbers “Staying Alive,” “Disco Inferno,” “Night Fever,” “Nights on Broadway,” “More Than a Woman” and “Open Sesame”—a song by Ronald Bell and Kool &The Gang.

Terrell Chambers plays the goodlooking and charismatic emcee and DJ at the club. A larger- than-life personality, Mr. Chambers belts out some fine numbers, such as “Night Fever,” “You Should Be Dancing,” and a wonderful rendition of “More Than a Woman” (Reprise) in a duet with Ms. Oné.

Other notable cast members include Brian Kaider as Tony’s boss Mr. Fusco, Alan Hoffman as Tony’s father Mr. Manero, Jane C. Boyle as Tony’s ultra-religious mother Flo, Margaret Kelly as Tony’s spunky sister Linda, and Tori Weaver as the desperate Annette. One of the best performances of the show was Ms. Weaver’s sterling rendition of “If I Can’t Have You”.

The talented Ensemble not previously named includes JC Bost, Carter Crosby, Brian Dauglash, Cameren Evans, Jaylen Fontaine, Carolina Tomasi and Julia Williams.

(A full list of the cast, orchestra and production staff are shown at the conclusion of the review.)

The stage may be round but don’t be a square. Party like it’s 70’s again. You will appreciate the effort and the talents of this wonderful cast and crew as well as the toe-tapping music. And enjoy Toby's luscious buffet.

Running time. Two hours and 30 minutes with an intermission.

Saturday Night Fever plays through November 2, 2025, at Toby’s the Dinner Theatre, 4900 Symphony Woods Rd., Columbia, MD 21044.  Tickets may be purchased by calling the box office at 410-730-8311or visiting here. 

Next up: Elf the Musical, November 7, 2025 to January 4, 2026

Photos: Katie Simmons-Barth

The Menu can be found here.

Specialty Drink: The Boogie Shoes (outstanding)