I was given tickets to see Sister Act by the Pantages and I was excited because I love musicals. I saw the show on the Tony Awards and have seen clips around the internet. I attended the show opening night on July 9th. Here is some background.
The show is produced by the star of the original movie Whoopi Goldberg and Troika Entertainment. The show is here in Los Angeles at the Pantages for a 3 week engagement through July 28th.
When disco diva Deloris Van Cartier witnesses a murder, she is put in protective custody in the one place cops are sure she won’t be found – a convent! Disguised as a nun, she finds herself at odds with both the rigid lifestyle and an uptight Mother Superior. Using her fabulous disco-ness and killer voice to inspire the choir, Deloris breathes new life into the church, but in doing so blows her cover. Soon it’s nun-on-the-run time but she finds salvation in the heavenly power of her newly found sisterhood. Based on the mega-hit feature film, SISTER ACT features an original Alan Menken/Glenn Slater score with a vast inspiration of musical styles from Motown, soul and funk to great big disco anthems and Barry White inspired musical comedy.
Based on the Touchstone Pictures motion picture Sister Act written by Joseph Howard, the production features an award winning creative team with original score and music by composer Alan Menken (Little Shop of Horrors, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Enchanted), lyrics by Glenn Slater (The Little Mermaid), book by Cheri and Bill Steinkellner (“Cheers”), additional book material by Douglas Carter Beane (Xanadu, The Little Dog Laughed), direction by Jerry Zaks (Guys and Dolls, A Funny Thing…Forum, Smokey Joe’s Café), with choreography by Anthony Van Laast (Mamma Mia, Bombay Dreams).
SISTER ACT stars Ta’Rea Campbell (Book of Mormon, Lion King) as Deloris Van Cartier, Hollis Resnik (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Les Miserables) as Mother Superior, Kingsley Leggs (Sister Act, The Color Purple) as Curtis Jackson, E. Clayton Cornelious (Wonderland, The Scottsboro Boys) as Eddie Souther, Lael Van Keuren (Sister Act) as Mary Robert,Florrie Bagel as Mary Patrick, Diane J. Findlay (42nd Street, Promises, Promises) as Mary Lazarus, Todd A. Horman(Priscilla Queen of the Desert) as Joey, Ernie Pruneda (Sister Act) as Pablo, Charles Barksdale (Fat Camp) as TJ, andRichard Pruitt (42nd Street, White Christmas) as Monsignor O’Hara.
The company will also include Melvin Abston, Gisela Adisa, Brian Cali, Karen Elliott, Erin Henry, Jacqui Graziano, Trisha Jeffrey, Mary Jo McConnell, Michelle Rombola, Dawn Rother, Jason Simon, Angie Marie Smith, Tricia Tanguy, Kelly E. Waters, Erin Wilson and Dashaun Young.
OK now that’s out of the way here’s the review!
The show was pretty good not great. I am a huge Broadway fanatic and love a good musical. It was so much like the movie except it takes place in Philly and in the 60’s. The dialogue was basically word for word in some parts like the movie. That part didn’t bother me so much but there was a lack with some of the characters. Kingsley Leggs plays Deloris’ mobster boyfriend who she is running away from…he lacked in character, there was nothing there. When it came time for him to sing it sounded like he was speaking not singing. The characters were trying too hard to be like the movie and sound like the movie rather than making the characters their own but there were some really funny parts. Lael Van Keuren as Mary Robert and Florrie Bagel as Marrie Patrick, Dianne J. Findlay as Mary Lazarus has some great lines and great moments.
I was really hoping for more songs from the choir and there was very few. If you’re hoping from songs from the movie such as My god”, “Hail holy queen” and “I wil follow him” it’s not going to happen. The choir sang 2 songs that were enjoyable other than that…nothing. Usually when you see a Broadway show the songs blow the roof off I was thinking with singers like they had it was going to be a powerhouse. I spoke to some people in the audience there was maybe a total of 3 songs the rest were just fly by night songs.
I would say if you were a huge fan of the movie you may like the show. If you are a big Broadway fan and expecting big numbers it may be a B- or so for you or lower. If you have never seen a Broadway type show this is a great family show and introductory show for you. I would definitely say go and watch it. Go and support the arts just don’t expect the movie.
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