In 1992, “Sister Act” was a film starring Whoopi Goldberg as a lounge singer disguised as a nun-on-the-run. In 2009, Sister Actwas born again as a musical, this time with Whoopi Goldberg as the producer. Basically, if you enjoyed the film, you will probably love the musical. It played on Broadway until last fall and earned five Tony Award nominations.
The musical, under Jerry Zaks’ clever direction, is now on tour. This over-the-top show strains the limits of credibility to the breaking point and even laughs at itself from time to time. There is more glitz than one can imagine, as Sister Act shines from beginning to end.
At first, one sees singer Deloris Van Cartier (Ta’Rea Campbell) in a glittery mini-skirt auditioning with her back-up singers. Afterwards, she witnesses a murder and must be placed in a witness-protection program. Her would-be hero, a cop (E. Clayton Cornelious), suggests hiding her in a convent. Deloris reluctantly agrees. Her first impressions of the “holy” atmosphere are pretty funny. She wonders aloud if she could rent the church for her performing act. The convent’s Mother Superior (outstanding Chicago actor Hollis Resnik) wryly notes that the place is usually booked on Sundays.
Sister Act doesn’t really take off until Deloris is assigned to lead the awful-sounding choir. She jumps in with both feet, whipping up their enthusiasm in “Raise Your Voice” (one of the show’s best numbers). Of course, it takes only a couple of choruses for the nuns to learn to sing like angels and move like go-go dancers to a 1970’s disco beat. They love it, and they love Deloris for putting some pep in their step.
The show’s other theme, women-power, is wonderfully illustrated in Deloris’ spiritual transformation. While she claims to be a non-Catholic, she admits to being taught by nuns in school. She realizes that, with her “sisters” as her side, she can exist without a man controlling her life.
In addition to “Raise Your Voice,” the show’s other musical highlight is a solo number, “Haven’t Got a Prayer,” sung with authentic angst and fervor by Resnik. It’s impressive to watch a seasoned pro wring every ounce from a song, as she does here.
The cast sings beautifully as an ensemble and in several solo numbers. Particularly impressive is Lael Van Keuren as the young novitiate Mary Robert. Van Keuren joined the tour straight from the Broadway cast, and it shows. Also impressive are Richard Pruitt as a monseignor who channels Barry White, and Kingsley Leggs, who also repeats his Broadway role as Curtis Jackson, Deloris’ thug/boyfriend. They all perform under a professional orchestra that travels with the production. Kudos to conductor Brent-Alan Huffman, who made the show sound great even on opening night.
The production values are terrific, too. Sets, costumes and lights are Broadway caliber. If Sister Act could survive on Broadway, it is certain to draw equal attention from audiences on tour as well.
