SISTER ACT to Partner with Bloomingdales for FASHIONABLE FUNDRAISER, 8/25

Cast members from the Broadway hit SISTER ACT will perform musical numbers from the show at Bloomingdale's 59th street (1000 3rd Ave.) on Thursday, August 25 at 4:30pm as part of the store's "Fashionable Fundraiser" benefiting The Foundation for AIDS Research (amFAR). In addition, Bloomingdale's will host makeovers in the Cosmetics Oval from 3:00-6:00pm. Costumes from SISTER ACT will also be on display exclusively for this event. At both the Bloomingdale's 59th street and Soho location (504 Broadway) shoppers who purchase over $400 in cosmetics and fragrances will receive a pair of tickets to SISTER ACT (while supplies last).

"Fashionable Fundraiser" is a semi-annual charitable shopping event that takes place at Bloomingdale's stores nationwide and on bloomingdales.com. This season will again support amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to ending the global AIDS epidemic through innovative research. By shopping in-store or online on August 25th, customers will be supporting Bloomingdale's commitment to the cause. The retailer also pledges to make a donation of $75,000 to amfAR as part of the event.

Elisabeth Vincentelli of The New York Post calls SISTER ACT, "One of the season's happiest surprises! Off the charts and packed with goodies, to which we say: Amen!" Joe Dziemianowicz of The New York Daily News raves "A blessed event has landed on Broadway. Sister Act is a feel-good crowd pleaser worth celebrating. It keeps on purring from one happy moment to the next." Charles Isherwood of The New York Times says, "When the wimples start quivering and the nuns start rocking to raise the Gothic rafters, all's right in the kingdom of musical comedy!" and Mark Kennedy of The Associated Press calls SISTER ACT, "In a word, divine. This is a musical that hits all the right spots, achieving something close to Broadway grace. It will convert you."

SISTER ACT features an original score with music by multi-Academy, Grammy and Golden Globe Award-winning composer Alan Menken (Little Shop of Horrors, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid and Enchanted), lyrics by Tony and Academy Award-nominee Glenn Slater (The Little Mermaid), and a book by multi-Emmy Award winners Cheri and Bill Steinkellner ("Cheers") with additional book material by Tony and Olivier Award nominee Douglas Carter Beane (Xanadu, The Little Dog Laughed). Directed on Broadway by four-time Tony Award winner Jerry Zaks (Guys and Dolls, A Funny Thing...Forum, Smokey Joe's Café), the production features choreography by Tony and Olivier Award nominee Anthony Van Laast (Mamma Mia, Bombay Dreams) and is based on the Touchstone Pictures motion picture Sister Act written by Joseph Howard.

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.