‘Sister Act’ opens Dayton Playhouse season
Composer Alan Menken, lyricist Glenn Slater, and librettists Cheri and Bill Steinkellner’s 2011 Tony Award-nominated musical comedy “Sister Act” opens the Dayton Playhouse’s 2017-2018 season beginning Friday, Sept. 15.
Based on the 1992 Whoopi Goldberg film of the same name and set in the late 1970s, this feel-good farce is propelled by mistaken identity, joyful sisterhood and the importance of acceptance.
Disco diva Deloris Van Cartier, a struggling Philadelphia nightclub entertainer longing for fame, is put into protective custody in a convent after witnessing a murder at the hand of her gangster boyfriend Curtis. When Deloris transforms the convent’s inept choir into an overnight sensation, her continual clashes with the stern Mother Superior threaten to grow beyond repair.
“Though the show includes more themes than one might expect for a musical based on a comedy film, I think the most salient journey is the one Deloris and Mother Superior take together,” said director Tim Rezash whose Playhouse acting credits include “1776” and “Ragtime.”
“When they meet, they are worlds apart with neither one appreciating the other and her choices. During the time they are forced to spend together, they are also forced to see the world through each other’s eyes, bringing about a mutual understanding and appreciation.”
“I believe the most appealing part of Deloris’ journey is finding herself in the quiet reservation of the convent and shedding a bit of fabulous light on everyone she encounters,” echoed Tia Seay who stars as sassy Deloris.
Being fabulous seems to come naturally for Seay, a vocal powerhouse remarkable last season as disheartened Sarah in the Playhouse’s “Ragtime.” She also impressed in Dare to Defy Productions’ presentations of “Dogfight” and “The Great American Trailer Park Musical” among others. This time around she’s hoping to connect with a bubbly, spunky and soulful persona, a far cry from the seriousness of Sarah four months ago.
“I pray Deloris will come across as the fun-loving, big sister figure,” she said.
“I hope she has a word of wisdom for all walks of life.”
The cast includes Cathy Long as Mother Superior, Alicia Walton as Sister Mary Robert, Shanna Camacho as Sister Mary Patrick, Donna Cason as Sister Mary Lazarus, Elaine Smith as Sister Mary Martin-of-Tours, Zenobia Curtis as Michelle/Nun Ensemble, Andrea Wilburn as Tina/ Nun Ensemble, Brian Sharp as Monsignor O’Hara, William “Kip” Moore as Curtis, Naman Clark as Eddie Souther, Thomas Troutman as TJ, William “Beau” Boatwright as Joey, Juan Gabriel Ecarnacion as Pablo, Michael Groomes as Ernie, and Nun Ensemble members Dawn RothSmith, Amber Pfeifer, Nelani Huntington, Carrie Ragland,
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“Sister Act” Dayton Playhouse, 1301 E. Siebenthaler Ave., Dayton Sept. 15-Oct. 1; 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays $18 for adults; $16 for seniors, students and military Visit ww.daytonplayhouse.com Lindsey Cardoza, Elizabeth Lindon, Rebekah Skaroupka, Angele Price, and Marabeth Klejna. Kiersten Farmer completes the cast in various roles including Fantasy Dancer. The artistic team includes set designer Chris “Red” Newman, musical director Ron Kindell and the aforementioned Groomes as choreographer.
The disco/gospel/R&B/popdriven score, paying homage to iconic groups of the era such as the O’Jays, Chi-Lites and the Bee Gees while also retaining Menken’s signature Disney-esque sound, includes “Take Me To Heaven,” “Fabulous, Baby!,” “Here Within These Walls,” “Raise Your Voice,” “Sunday Morning Fever,” “Bless Our Show,” “The Life I Never Led,” and the lovely title song.
“I believe ‘Sister Act’ is such a universal experience because every person can find a bit of themselves in the characters,” Seay added. “Be you mousy and demure or salty and surly, you can easily identify with these characters.”