Soul Food Supreme: ‘Sister Act’ is the funkiest musical at Solaire

MANILA, Philippines – Proclaiming itself as “gloriously Broadway,” Sister Act is one and the same musical originally produced by Hollywood star Whoopi Goldberg, who starred in the original 1992 comedy movie upon which it is based. It features the music of Alan Menken of Enchanted, Aladdin, and Beauty and the Beast and since premiered in 2006, has gone on to stage in Broadway, West End, and garner 5 Tony Award nominations in 2011.

Sister Act‘s 2017 international tour swung by Manila to perform on June 27 at the Theatre at Solaire Resort and Casino in Pasay City, where it will show until July 9.

Same story, totally different songs

This theatrical adaptation remains faithful to the story and characters that made the movie so successful and well-loved – a classic destined to elicit the same laughs from millennials and Gen Z audiences too young have watched the original movie in cinemas. Even the musical’s actors resemble those who originally played their parts in the movie.

Sister Act is still the story Deloris Van Cartier, aspiring nightclub singer and mistress of gangster and nightclub owner Curtis Jackson. When she is refused a regular spot at the nightclub and is given a secondhand fur coat originally owned by Jackson’s wife as a gift on Christmas Eve, she goes to Jackson to break up. Instead she witnesses him and his henchmen murder his associate for being a police informant.

She goes to policeman and childhood friend “Sweaty Eddy” for help, who decides to hide her as part of the government’s witness protection program, disguised as a nun in a convent. Hilarity ensues as the wannabe nightclub diva Deloris takes it upon herself to teach the musically-challenged nuns to sing religious hymns. Even as they prepare for a performance for the visiting Pope, they have to evade Jackson and his henchmen, who are out to silence Deloris forever.

There are some minor changes to the story. While the movie sought to highlight the difference between the highly cloistered nuns and the street smart Deloris by portraying the sisters as all white and predominantly Irish-Americans – the better to contrast with the proudly African-American Deloris – the musical casts more African Americans among the nuns.

What this musical offers Gen Xers old enough to remember the original film is brand new music. The movie took classic soulful pop songs such as “My Guy,” “I Will Follow Him,” and “Rescue Me,” and tweaked them cheekily to fit the movie’s narrative. This musical eschews paying royalties and rehashing these hits in favor of original music by Menken. With lyrics by Glenn Slater these songs are essential narrative vehicles that help push the story forward with their verses.

Surprisingly, all the new music composed by Menken is pleasantly familiar, reminiscent of well-loved songs of Donna Summers and Barry White.

While the 1992 movie was set in Reno and San Fransisco and the 2006 musical was set in Philadelphia and made its name in New York’s Broadway and London’s West End, the story’s music has always been rooted in Detroit – Motown’s soul, funk, boogie, jive, disco, and rhythm and blues. Menken remains true to these roots and pays homage to its greatest artists with songs that evoke the funk and soul of the disco era.

Showstopper

The cast that performed in Manila on June 27 included Dené Hill as Deloris Van Cartier; Rebecca Mason-Wygal as Mother Superior; Brandon Godfrey as gang boss Curtis Jackson; Will T. Travis as police lieutenant Eddie Souther or “Sweaty Eddy;” and Jarred Bedgood, Moses Bernal, Harry McEnerny as gang henchmen TJ, Pablo, and Joey Finnochio, respectively. The cast also starred Sophie Kim as the young timid novitiate Sister Mary Robert; and Emma Brock as the cheery Sister Mary Patrick.

As to be expected, Dené Hill was stellar as the heroine Deloris. But it was Will Travis as police lieutenant Sweaty Eddy who stole the show with the most soulful and tender singing. Jarred Bedgood, Moses Bernal, Harry McEnerny as the gang henchmen, blended together excellently.

This show is a must see for everyone. A totally new roster of songs are a revelation for those who are familiar with the original movie and the story is as hilarious and heartwarming as ever. Sister Act brings much needed color to the repertoire of box office hits coming from the Great White Way to our shores. – Rappler.com

Writer, graphic designer, and business owner Rome Jorge is passionate about the arts. Formerly the Editor-in-Chief of asianTraveler Magazine, Lifestyle Editor of The Manila Times, and cover story writer for MEGA and Lifestyle Asia Magazines, Rome Jorge has also covered terror attacks, military mutinies, and mass demonstrations as well as reproductive health, gender equality, climate change, HIV/AIDS and other important issues. He is also the proprietor of Strawberry Jams Music Studio.