Sister Act the Musical hits town at Broadway San Diego Civic Theatre July 30-Aug. 4, and is based on the wildly popular 1992 film of the same name. Academy Award Winner Whoopie Goldberg, who starred in the film, wears the hat of producer this time around.
The show got its out of town tryout right here in California at the Pasadena Playhouse in 2006 and according to reports broke all kinds of records for the theater. The next stop for the show was Atlanta, Ga. in 2007 and from there it was London’s West End in 2009, then an opening on Broadway in 2011. The show was nominated for numerous Tony Awards and ran for more than 500 performances before closing late in 2012.
The first national tour hit the road soon after the Broadway show closed with a new cast in every role but one. Kingsley Leggs, veteran musical theater performer, created the role of Curtis Shank on Broadway and brings his critically acclaimed performance to the tour as well.
The role of Deloris Van Cartier, played by Whoopie Goldberg in the film, is being played by Broadway actress Ta’Rea Campbell for the tour. She is clear that not much about the show is different from the original film.
“The story of the play is very similar to the movie,” Campbell said. “The main differences are this: the show is set in 1977 Philadelphia as opposed to 1992 Vegas like the movie. Also all of the music in the play is brand new and written by Alan Menken.”
As for playing Deloris, Campbell says the shows creators encouraged her and her cast members to make the roles their own. Campbell also mentioned that she enjoys the challenges the role of Deloris creates for her each night.
“The role of Deloris is really fun to play. I really love that [it’s] a challenging role because it makes me want to try new things every night as an actor and to strive to give a fresh performance every night. The music is amazing to sing and I get to be funny and silly.”
In the role of Mother Superior (the role played by Academy Award Winner Maggie Smith in the film), veteran stage actress Hollis Resnik takes her turn as the head of the church that has to take Deloris in. Resnik, an award winning actress herself, hails from the “Windy City” Chicago, and has racked up a number of Joseph Jefferson Awards (Chicago’s version of the Tony Awards) for many of her performances through the years. While she does say Chicago is her home, she has been seen in a number of national tours and a few Off Broadway stints.
“I am deeply rooted in Chicago and always will be,” Resnik said. “But I have representation in New York City so I go there often to audition.”
As for Sister Act, Resnik, like Campbell, agrees that it’s a great show with a great score.
“I think the musical score is terrific. And it’s a very well written script. I love the last scene between Deloris and Mother Superior.”
Ensemble member Tricia Tanguy is no stranger to national tours or stints on Off Broadway either, after being a part of shows like The Producers, Cats, Joseph and The Marvelous Wonderettes. She finds that Sister Act, again much like Campbell, retains a lot of what the film has to offer.
“You’ll see the same memorable and lovable characters from the movie but with some wonderful additions!” Tanguy exclaimed. “As a result, the story has new plot twists and turns and it lends its way to a new ‘disco-inspired’ sound for the score, which was written by Alan Menken (Little Shop Of Horrors and The Little Mermaid) and Glenn Slater.”
One thing Sister Act seems to do is give something back to its audience.
“This show really takes you on a journey,” Tanguy said. “There’s laughter that leads to tears and moments that truly tug at your heart strings.”
Campbell echoed her sentiment. “I really hope the audiences have a blast at the show and allow themselves to push the outside world away for just a bit and be entertained. The country is going through a rough time right now and I for one am thankful for the gift of theater as it allows me to have a creative outlet. And this show preaches about the power of love and non-judgment. I feel that is a lesson worth ‘re-learning’ every day.”
Sister Act brings its foot stomping, hand clapping and soul singing show here for only one week, so get tickets now while you still can.
For tickets you can call The Broadway San Diego box office at 619-570-1100, or buy them online at http://www.broadwaysd.com/ civic-theatre.htm
