SISTER ACT THE MUSICAL Comes to Sonora This Month

Sierra Repertory Theatre opens its 38th season with the feel-good musical comedy Sister Act. Based on the 1992 Whoopi Goldberg film, the show features music by Tony- and eight-time Oscar winner, Alan Menken (Newsies, Beauty and the Beast, Little Shop of Horrors).

Show-stopping disco diva Deloris Van Cartier (SRT newcomer Courtney Bruce) is trying to work her way to the top in 1970s Philadelphia when she falls in love with a very tough-and very married-gangster boyfriend namEd Curtis. When Deloris witnesses him commit a murder she ends up in hiding on police orders in a convent whose parish has fallen on hard times. Though the sequin-free lifestyle doesn't agree with her, Deloris finds her calling working with the choir, and breathes new life into the dusty convent while discovering a sisterhood she's never had before.

"I am super excited about this opportunity because it is one of my dream roles!" Bruce said.

Her previous credits include the Killer Queen in We Will Rock You, Joanne in Rent, and Nicki in Sweet Charity. Bruce has worked with such notable actors as Laura Dickinson in Jekyll and Hyde, was directed by Ted Lang in the original production of the musical Moonshine, which stared Fred Willard, and America's Got Talent finalist Brian Justin Crum.

Returning to SRT to play the role of Mother Superior is Victoria Strong. She played the same role last summer at Moonlight Stage Productions and previously played the roles of Anna in The King and I and The Mother Abbess in 2014's The Sound of Music. Emily Kay Shrader (SRT's Little Women) and Nancy Evans of the Sister Act national tour will also join SRT's cast as nuns Sister Mary Robert and Sister Mary Lazarus.

Sierra Rep's Sister Act is directed by SRT Artistic Director Scott Viets and choreographed by guest choreographer Jake Delaney. This marks Viets' 15th year at SRT and his 60th production. He said he looks forward to collaborating with Delaney after directing him in previous SRT musicals, which included Gypsy and Cinderella.

SRT's talented production team includes musical director Mark Seiver, musical orchestration by Sean Paxton, set design by Randall A. Enlow, costume design by Rebecca Meredith, lighting design by Mike Sali and stage manager, Emily Gatesman.

Sister Act opens at Sierra Rep's East Sonora Theatre on February 18 and runs through April 9. Show times are Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m, Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m, some Thursdays at 2 p.m. and some Thursdays at 7 p.m. There is no show March 1 and 2. SRT will host a Ladies Night Out on March 10 and a free special Talkback question and answer session after the April 6 performance. For reservations contact Sierra Rep's box office at 209-532-3120, e-mail tickets@sierrarep.org or visit our website: www.sierrarep.org.

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