Stages Adds Special Matinee Performance to Grand Finale of 30th Anniversary Season

Due to unprecedented advance ticket sales, STAGES St. Louis is thrilled to announce the addition of a special matinee performance to the original Sister Act show schedule. A conscious effort to meet patron demand, this extra show marks the first additional matinee STAGES has put on in its 30 year history. The added performance will be held on Thursday, September 29th at 2pm.

Sister Act plays September 9-October 9 at the Robert G. Reim Theatre in Kirkwood, closing out STAGES' 30th Anniversary Season with the gift of laughter, the power of music, and a touch of heavenly inspiration.

"What an exciting conclusion to STAGES' 30th Anniversary Season," said Executive Producer Jack Lane. "Not only are we ending our celebratory Season with a Mid-Western regional theatre premiere, but ticket sales once again have exceeded expectations so it's thrilling to be able to make this monumental move with the first-time ever addition of a matinee performance."

There's a real reason to rejoice for everybody's favorite nun, Deloris Van Cartier, is coming to STAGES to stir up her special brand of habit-forming fun! Join the happy multitudes who have made Sister Act one of Broadway's favorite new musical comedies and enjoy all the fun, laughter, and irresistible music that packed pews all over America in this regional theatre premiere. This divine comedy about a sassy, low-rent lounge singer forced to hide out from the mob in the last place anyone would ever look for her - a convent - recently became one of Broadway's smash-hit musicals. With its soulful chorus of swingin' sisters, Sister Act continues to attract flocks of faithful followers. Blessed with a rollicking new musical score from Tony and eight-time Oscar winner Alan Menken - the composer who brought us Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Newsies, andAladdin, this production boasts powerful music and show-stopping dance numbers. With its truly moving story, Sister Act celebrates the universal power of love and the joys of friendship and sisterhood.

Before Sister Act was seen on stage, a film version of the same name appeared on the silver screen in 1992, starring Whoopi Goldberg, Maggie Smith, and Harvey Keitel. As the eighth-highest grossing film worldwide in 1992, the film became one of the most financially successful comedies of the 1990s.

The stage version of Sister Act opened in the Pasadena Playhouse in 2006, followed by a run at London's West End in 2009. Originally written by Bill and Cheri Steinkellner, both known for their work on the hit TV show "Cheers", the show was later revised with additional book material written by Douglas Carter Beane. This new version opened on Broadway in April 2011 and garnered five Tony nominations, including Best Musical.

Broadway Actress Dan'yelle Williamson stars as Deloris Van Cartier. Making her STAGES debut, Williamson has appeared on Broadway in Memphis, Scandalous, andRocky as well as Off-Broadway in Soul Doctor. National Tours/Regional credits includeThe Lion King, Dreamgirls, The Drowsy Chaperone, and Wicked.

Broadway Actress Corinne Melançon stars as Mother Superior. Melançon returns to STAGES, previously appearing this season as the title role in The Drowsy Chaperone. She also has appeared in several of STAGES' earlier productions, including A Little Night Music, Sweet Charity, and High Society. Melançon recently completed an 11-year run on Broadway in Mamma Mia! and has appeared in several other Broadway shows, includingKiss Me, Kate, Jekyll & Hyde, Big, and My Fair Lady. Other New York credits include appearances at Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall, and Rainbow & Stars.

Also starring is New York Actor Curtis Wiley as Eddie Souther. Making his STAGES debut, Wiley has appeared in the National Tours of Jersey Boys, The Lion King, andMotown: The Musical and the Off-Broadway Revival of Pageant: The Musical. Other New York credits include The Great Society, Tut, and King Lear. New York Actor Kent Overshown stars as Curtis Jackson. Returning to STAGES, Overshown most recently starred in STAGES' 2015 production of Smokey Joe's Café. Overshown has performed in the National Tours of Memphis and The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess and also has appeared with the Philadelphia Orchestra as well as in multiple productions at The Muny. Returning to STAGES, St. Louis Actor Steve Isom stars as Monsignor O'Hara. Isom celebrates 22 seasons with STAGES, having performed in nearly 60 productions for STAGES, starting with STAGES' 1994 production of Good News!. A familiar face in St. Louis, Isom has performed at venues throughout the city, including The Muny, Shakespeare Festival St. Louis, St. Louis Actors' Studio, and The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis.

Rounding out the cast are Leah Berry (Mary Robert), Keith Boyer (Pablo), Sarah Michelle Cuc (Sister Mary Patrick), Kevin Curtis (T.J.), Michele Burdette Elmore(Sister Mary Lazarus), and Myles McHale (Joey). The Male Ensemble includes Christian Bufford, Christopher deProphetis, John Flack, and Daniel LeClaire. The Nun Choir includes Peggy Billo, Kari Ely, Laura Ernst, Morgan Amiel Faulkner, Jessie Hooker,Julia Johanos, Erin Kelley, Paula Landry, Angela Sapolis, and April Strelinger.

The creative team for the production includes: Michael Hamilton (Direction), Stephen Bourneuf (Choreography), Lisa Campbell Albert (Musical Direction), James Wolk(Scenic Design), Brad Musgrove (Costume Design), Sean M. Savoie (Lighting Design), and Stuart M. Elmore (Orchestral Design).

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