Sydney’s Capitol Theatre.
September 11, 2024.
The most heavenly musical sister law This spring it took the stage in Sydney. The story is adapted from the 1992 film of the same name starring Whoopi Goldberg, with all original songs written by renowned film and theater composer Alan Menken and lyricist Glenn Slater. Filled with great 70s/Motown style tunes and endearing humor, sister law is a fun, family-friendly show.
In a similar story to the 1992 film, Philadelphia club singer Deloris Van Cartier witnesses the murder of her gangster boyfriend, Curtis Jackson. She was put into witness protection in a place no one suspected, a dreary monastery. She’s not really cut out for the life of a nun, but when asked to help with the choir, her perspective changes and she breathes life into a group of very tired and out-of-tune singers. As the choir grew in popularity, they came to the attention of the Pope and were asked to sing for His Holiness. A TV special about their upcoming appearance informs Dolores’ gangster exes of her whereabouts, and the nuns engage in a classic slapstick chase around the church to defend Dolores. In the end, good triumphs over evil, and the nuns find their voices in many ways along the way.
As with all new original music, there’s going to be a little jarring at first. The music sounds completely different from the original we all know and love, and the soundtrack is a defining feature of the film. However, the songs are catchy and well-written, so once you get past the “this isn’t the show I know” problem, songs commissioned specifically to enhance the narrative of a musical theater piece have merit.
Casey Donovan plays Deloris Van Cartier and she is the best part of the show. Her incredible singing voice paved the way for her to portray a wonderful leading lady. Donovan has grown her portfolio tremendously, making great strides since winning australian idol 20 years ago, when I was 16 years old. She is now a true leading lady of Australian musical theatre. Her portrayal of Van Cartier is spot-on, commanding every time she takes the stage, almost overshadowing theater veterans Rhonda Birchmore (Sister Mary Lazarus) and Genevieve Lemon ( Mother Superior), who both played their characters’ quirkiness and sarcasm well.
The beginning of the play looks almost amateurish, everyone is trying too hard to define their characters but doesn’t have much stage presence, and there doesn’t seem to be much thought given to the lines running through them, which are very minimal. The choreography (Alistair David) was tacky and lacked finesse and flow, giving much of the first half of the show the vibe of a high school production. There is a humorous moment between Curtis (James Blairs) and his three assistants Pablo (Jordan Angelides), Joey (Tom Strucker) and TJ (James Bell) sings “When Will I Find My Baby” while searching for Dolores, but the choreography is so dull and stiff that it seems like it was created for performers who have never danced before, but this The same cannot be said for the cast.
The show picks up when we reach the moment when the chorus sings its first great, “Lift Your Voices,” near the end of the first act. From here the energy picks up and we start to see some cohesion in the story, characterization, and pacing.
The concept of sisterhood is strong throughout the show and is one of the best features overall. The way the Sisters worked together, united and harmoniously in the second half was a redeeming factor Sister Act. It gives the name another layer of meaning, the essence that underpins the narrative. Despite the mediocre staging, this element is quite moving. The choreography improved as the show went on, with the chorus being David’s best scene, bringing together a variety of skill levels and allowing them to work as a cohesive team.
The costume (Morgan Large) is an interesting juxtaposition of 1970s glittery clothing and black nun habits. Loud and proud versus simple and humble. These gowns are well cut and have some ruching on the sides to create a flattering shape that respects traditional robes without making them look tentative. The set (also large) is located between the church and the club/back alley. There is some fusion at the end, with the church’s intricate patterns going from broken to brightly colored, a finale with a carnival atmosphere, the nuns in their bright sequined habits, Dolores in her stunning white sequined dress and white fur, her dream costume, Perhaps also a statement of reconciliation with the church in her own way.
sister law It is a light-hearted show suitable for the whole family to watch. It’s definitely worth a visit if you want to experience a mature Casey Donovan in the title role. It’s a fun experience, with clean humor and an easy-to-follow narrative, which would be a great first theater experience for kids, or maybe a fun night out with the girls.
Author: Linda Badger Dance information.
