Interview: Remi Veronica & Jama Bowen of SISTER ACT at Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre

With the help of technology, I had the pleasure of sitting down with two fascinating women who play the lead roles in the upcoming Dutch Apple production of Sister Act. Not only did they share their background and journey, but they offered deep and fun insights into their upcoming roles.

A newcomer to Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre, Remi Veronica is an experienced talent in many genres. After studying at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City, Remi has worked doing improv, music videos, internet commercials and modeling. Her heart, however, has always been in musical theater. After completing an off-broadway musical, and looking for new projects, Remi was intrigued by the professional level dinner theater experience offered at the Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre and excited about a possible role in Sister Act.

Reprising her role as Mother Superior, Jama Bowen is a familiar face at Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre and its sister theater the Broadway Palm in Fort Myers Florida. While her musical theater career and long list of roles is impressive, she is also well known for her top 40 hits as a country recording artist hailing from Nashville Tennessee. She has toured and performed with George Jones and Reba McEntire.

BWW: The iconic role of Deloris requires talented acting, powerful singing, and impeccable comedic timing. What do you do to prepare for such a challenging role?

Remi: Dolores is a character that's familiar to me in many ways. She has an idea of what she wants and tries to go after it. Along the way she has all these hurdles. She has people she thinks are in her corner but they're not. She goes on this whole journey of self discovery throughout the show where she realizes what she actually wants is not what she thought she wanted. So, in terms of the challenges of playing her, it is a very high energy show so there's obviously a lot of singing, dancing, and acting. The biggest challenge is the pacing and pacing myself as an actor and dancer. For me it is making sure that I am present and that I give myself the space and take a breath so that I don't run out of steam. It is high-intensity and it's important to rely on breath support and be present all the time.

BWW: There are days where you have to do two performances. How do you keep the energy up?

Remi: Balancing the singing and dancing with the emotions of some of the scenes, it's a fun challenge. I've done two shows on the same day before. Between shows you get a rest and have time to get back into it.

Jama: It is the life of a professional actor. We do a lot of shows. What I always remind myself of is, I need to give my best performance every time I am on stage. I think every patron who comes to see you deserves the best show you can give. You just dig deep because the patrons deserve our best.

Remi: This is what I love to do. I see every show as my first and last. The audience wants to see a good show. This is my moment to show them my gifts and talents.

BWW: Tell me about the dynamic between Mother Superior and Delores.

Jama: I think the dynamics between our two characters is really the plot of the show. We both have our own ideas of how things should be and what we want, yet we are on opposing sides basically. Both characters are very stubborn. The good thing is, both characters have a beautiful arc and learn a lot during the course of the show. We both do a 180 and open our minds to see a lot of humanity by the final scene. Mother Superior has dedicated her life to her faith. She truly loves the sisters, her faith, and wants to protect it. So when this outsider with different views of the world comes, she feels threatened and feels like she needs to protect the sisters.

BWW: How were the characters defined and developed?

Remi: The director gave some guidance.

Jama: As a professional actor you do a lot of research, learn the story and the plot. You familiarize yourself with the time period and the character and then you put your own spin on it and make some choices. During the rehearsal process we work out a lot of things together and play off of one another. It all jells nicely. I try to show that Mother Superior is very loving and has a good heart. She truly believes in her faith. However, it is very important to show that she doesn't want to bend. She believes in the rules. She doesn't know that bending the rules will be ok.

Remi: When I first was reading the script I felt she wanted things her way and to be the center of attention, but there are more layers to her. I initially saw her as a bit narcissistic, but my view of her developed over the course of my rehearsal and research. She wants what she has been working for her whole life, but what she really craves is connection with people. She has a wall up to protect herself. She uses humor as a wall. The spin I try to add is to make her a little silly and someone who is poking fun. I keep learning more about her everytime we run through the show. Each time I dive deeper and deeper into who she is.

BWW: Do you have a favorite scene together?

Jama: For me it's our final scene together. Our arc is complete and we have both realized that you can love people who are different from you and who have a different world view. You can still love and respect one another. They really are sisters and share a beautiful song. I cry just thinking about it. The show is such a hopeful show with a message of redemption and gaining a new perspective... We are really more alike than we are different. It's a very uplifting story

BWW: What other moments of the show are favorites?

Remi: I love "Raise Your Voice". It's a great number where you see Delores discovering a way to connect with others by helping others find their true voice. You see the other nuns coming out of their shells. It is beautiful to be a part of.

BWW: What is it like working with the cast?

Remi: It's a big cast. All of the Nunnies (That's what we call them), each performer, are such open and generous actors. It is very easy for us to connect. If I ever need to run something or if something needs adjusting it's very easy to talk with them about it and we feed off of each other. In terms of other actors, Mother Superior is so great. They are just such beautiful people and fun to grow with throughout this process.

Jama: I know technically we are the leads of the show but I really think the Nuns are. All of the musical numbers with the nuns are fantastic. When I am in the wings waiting I am back in the wings dancing and singing along. The nuns are just wonderful and hit every emotion. They make you laugh and cry. They are just fabulous.

Remi: Every role is important. It is definitely an ensemble.

BWW: Is there anything else you would like audience members to know?

Remi: This show takes you on a rollercoaster. I think you will feel a lot more than you were expecting, but will end with a feeling of love.

Jama: There are some fun throwbacks. Some great costumes! The musical is set in the 1970s (the film is set in the 1990s) so we have a fun retro vibe punctuated with disco music and bell bottoms. Dutch Apple audiences should enjoy that the musical is set in Philadelphia rather than Reno/LA, where the film is set. And finally, the musical has an all- original score made up of everything from heartfelt ballads to rousing upbeat feel-good songs.Our cast and crew consist of professionals from all parts of the US, including some incredibly talented professionals from Lancaster and nearby communities. Come with an open heart and an open mind ready to be entertained.

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