Singing praises
Fandango Musical Players are ready to raise the roof with ‘Sister Act’
There will be no usual echo of a cough or wheeze wafting through the pews when this bold and sassy nun takes to the stage in the latest Fandango Musical Players rendition of “Sister Act.”
The show is ready to kick off at the Celtic Performing Arts Centre in Summerside on Friday evening, Nov. 16.
“This play is a Tony awardwinning Broadway musical,” remarked Wendy Murray, who is cast as the spaced-out character, Sister Mary Martin-of-Tours.
“The premise is Doloris, an aspiring singer who is trying to get discovered by Curtis the nightclub owner. But in the process of auditioning she witnesses a murder, and as a result has to go into hiding for protection.
The police decide the best place to hide Doloris is in a convent,” she explains.
As part of penance, Doloris has to teach her sisters how to sing while often coming under fire by the starchy and stern Mother Superior.
“But there’s passion and feeling delivered through her music,” chimed Murray.
The production based on the 1992 film features original music by Oscar-winner Alan Menken. Musical numbers include “Raise your Voice,” “Sunday Morning Fever,” and “Spread the Love,” to name but a few.
“It’s a musical comedy set in 1978, so there’s a lot of disco-style music and dancing, gospel, as well as Mo-town woven into the storyline,” said Dave Lantz, who plays the villainous nightclub owner Curtis Jackson.
“Despite Doloris being my girlfriend, it’s my intention to capture and kill her or else she will rat on me,” he smoothly adds. With clever choreography and direction by Shirley Anne Cameron, who in addition plays the lead as Doloris, the evening is set to move at a brisk pace with a mixed cast of both old and young.
“There will be tears, laughter, suspense, drama – all the highs and lows. And no matter your belief or passion this is just a feelgood story about being there for each other,” concluded Murray. Shows are held at the Celtic Performing Arts Centre on select dates, starting Friday, Nov. 16 at 7:30 p.m. For more information visit the College of Piping website.