A musical adaptation of the 1992 hit film of the same name (starring Whoopi Goldberg), Sister Act: A Divine Musical Comedy features music by award-winning composer Alan Menken, lyrics by Glenn Slater, and a book by Cheri and Bill Steinkellner, with additional material by Douglas Carter Beane.
Aspiring disco diva, Deloris Van Cartier, witnesses a crime committed by her gangster boyfriend, Curtis Jackson. To protect her, the police hide Deloris in the last place anyone would look: a convent. Under the alias of Sister Mary Clarence, Deloris trades her sequins for a nun’s habit.
Under the strict eye of the Mother Superior, who is not thrilled to have such a disruptive influence in her convent, Deloris, struggles with the quiet, regimented lifestyle – the friction between her and the Mother Superior creates much humorous tension.
Transforming the once-tone-deaf choir into a vibrant sensation, Deloris’s influence revitalises the church, drawing attention from the media and causing a buzz in the community. However, her newfound fame also risks exposing her location to Curtis and his mob of gangsters. With the support of her new sisters, Deloris learns the value of friendship and a place where she belongs with hilarious results.
Directed with infectious energy by Bill Buckhurst, Sister Act captures the spirit and soul of the beloved movie. The entire ensemble shines, from the quirky convent sisters to the wonderfully comedic gangsters, doing justice to Alan Menken’s lively score of disco, Motown and classic musical theatre, supported by an excellent band.
Casey Donovan dazzles as Deloris. Her voice, rich and powerful, infusing each song with a complementary mix of spirit, sass and raw emotion. Opposite her, Genevieve Lemon shines as Mother Superior, balancing exasperation and grace with finesse.
The much loved Rhonda Burchmore as Sister Mary Lazarus is a scene-stealer, her comedic timing is spot on, while Sophie Montague as Sister Mary Robert and Bianca Bruce as Sister Mary Patrick bring much delight with their underlying vulnerability.
Raphael Wong impresses as Policeman Eddie Souther, especially with his breakout number, I Could Be That Guy, while James Bryers as Curtis Jackson, James Bell as TJ (another scene-stealer), and Damien Bermingham as Monsignor O’Hara, round out an excellent infectiously fun cast.
Morgan Large’s show-stopping costumes and brilliant set design, combined with Tim Mitchell’s lighting design and Alistair David’s slick choreography add to the spectacle, creating a colourful, energetic world that is visually stunning and irresistibly joyful.
The perfect fun night out, the Australian production of Sister Act is a joyful triumph delivering much delivers much and laughter!
Sister Act
Regent Theatre, 191 Collins Street, Melbourne
Performance: Friday 8 November 2024
Season continues to 26 January 2025
Bookings: www.ticketek.com.au
Following the Melbourne season, Sister Act will play the Lyric Theatre – QPAC, Brisbane from 8 February 2025, Festival Theatre – Adelaide Festival Centre from March 2025 and Crown Theatre Perth from April 2025. For further information, visit: www.sisteractthemusical.com.au for details.
Images: The Australian Cast of Sister Act – all photos by Daniel Boud
Review: Rohan Shearn