SINGING PRAISES
Fandango Musical Players looking to raise the roof with ‘Sister Act’
Fandango Musical Players ready to raise the roof with ‘Sister Act’
“There will be tears, laughter, suspense, drama – all the highs and lows. And no matter your belief or passion, this is just a feel-good story about being there for each other.”
Wendy Murray
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 this evening at the Celtic Performing Arts Centre in Summerside.
“This play is a Tony awardwinning Broadway musical,” said Wendy Murray, who is cast as the spaced-out character, Sister Mary Martin-of-Tours.
“The premise is Doloris, an aspiring singer, 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.”
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,” said 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 said
With clever choreography and direction by Shirley Anne Cameron, who also 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,” said Murray.
Shows are held at the Celtic Performing Arts Centre on select dates, starting today at 7:30 p.m. For more information, visit the College of Piping website.