Is 'Sister Act' Headed For Broadway?

"Sister Act" – a new musical based on the popular film starring Whoopi Goldberg is currently under consideration for an October 2006 mounting at the Pasadena Playhouse and a future Broadway run according to Variety.

The project is currently being directed and co-produced by former Disney exec, Peter Schneider who last year brought "Grand Hotel" to the L.A. Colony Theater.

The creative team for "Sister Act" includes composer Alan Menken, lyricist Glenn Slater and book writers Cheri and Bill Steinkellner. What makes "Sister Act" unique is that Disney is licensing the rights instead of producing it themselves.

The musical marks a reunion between Menken and Schneider, the latter who was president of animation at Disney when the "Beauty and the Beast" was in theaters. A few years later, Schneider was named co-president of Disney Theatricals along with Thomas Schumacher who then staged "The Lion King" and "Aida."

"Sister Act" tells the story of a Vegas singer (played by Whoopi Goldberg in the film) who witnesses a mob hit and the police place her in a nunnery to protect her. Having lack of trust in the singer, the mother superior (Maggie Smith in the film) attempts to limit her influence on the other nuns. Joining the failing choir, the singer re-invigorates not only the nuns in the abbey with new life, but also the community around her. The original 1992 film featured many notable appearances such as Beth Fowler, Mary Wickes, Kathy Najimy Harvey Keitel and original music by Marc Shaiman.