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 and community, 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.
But while the film's nun numbers (like 'I Will Follow Him') were giddy and infectious in a more subtle way, this show opts for glitz, line dancing, and absurdity, as the nuns rap, sing about their 'booties,' and practically engage in Busby Berkeley configurations. Less would have been more. The score is uneven (there's a lyric that goes 'If you got stigmata/Show me yours, I'll show you mine'), but Alan Menken has cooked up some pleasing sounds derived from Philadelphia soul and other nostalgic genres, in between homages to Sondheim and to his own 'Beauty and the Beast.' And you watch a lot of the show smiling despite yourself. A work of art? No, it isn't even Priscilla. But you could have way less fun with religious people.
Here we go again. Another film to stage adaptation, but this one's switched it up a bit. 'Sister Act,' the 1992 movie starring Whoopi Goldberg featured a jukebox songbook of disco era tunes. On Broadway, the music is all original and Whoopi is now the producer. How does it rate? Let's just say it's hard to resist when the sisters and a few brothers make such a joyful noise.
2006 |
World Premiere |
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2007 |
Atlanta Production |
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2009 | West End |
Original London Production West End |
2011 | Broadway |
Original Broadway Production Broadway |
2012 | US Tour |
US National Tour US Tour |
2022 | West End |
West End Revival West End |
2024 | West End |
West End |
West End |
West End |
Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
---|---|---|---|
2011 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Actress in a Musical | Patina Miller |
2011 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical | Victoria Clark |
2011 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Lyrics | Glenn Slater |
2011 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Music | Alan Menken |
2011 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Musical | 0 |
2011 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Actress in a Musical | Victoria Clark |
2011 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Actress in a Musical | Patina Miller |
2011 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Costume Design | Lez Brotherston |
2011 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Director of a Musical | Jerry Zaks |
2011 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical | Chester Gregory |
2011 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical | Marla Mindelle |
2011 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Lighting Design | Natasha Katz |
2011 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding New Broadway Musical | 0 |
2011 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding New Score | 0 |
2011 | Theatre World Awards | Performance | Patina Miller |
2011 | Tony Awards | Best Book of a Musical | Bill Steinkellner |
2011 | Tony Awards | Best Book of a Musical | Douglas Carter Beane |
2011 | Tony Awards | Best Book of a Musical | Cheri Steinkellner |
2011 | Tony Awards | Best Musical | Disney Theatrical Productions |
2011 | Tony Awards | Best Musical | Disney Theatrical Productions |
2011 | Tony Awards | Best Musical | The Shubert Organization |
2011 | Tony Awards | Best Musical | Stage Entertainment |
2011 | Tony Awards | Best Musical | Whoopi Goldberg |
2011 | Tony Awards | Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre | Glenn Slater |
2011 | Tony Awards | Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre | Alan Menken |
2011 | Tony Awards | Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical | Victoria Clark |
2011 | Tony Awards | Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical | Patina Miller |
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