By Ruth Ferguson, NDG Editor
Although not exactly the story you might expect the Sister Act production on stage at the Dallas Summer Musicals this week is enjoyable. We all remember the beloved comedy starring Whoopi Goldberg in 1992 when she joined a convent of nuns because she was running from bad guys. The touring production starts off with the same premise except set in the 1970s, but do not expect the same songs as the movie.
In the stage play we meet Deloris capably played by Ta’Rea Campbell who is perhaps best known as Nala in The Lion King on Broadway and for the National Tour. She has a rich and lovely singing voice. However, several times throughout the show that I could not clearly understand what she was actually saying. It was unclear if it was a problem with her microphone, the orchestra overshadowing her or Campbell’s actual performance. Initially I thought it was only me but my guest eventually whispered she was having the same struggles. It was only noticeable for me with Deloris, as I clearly understood the others.
My two favorite performers were Hollis Resnik as Mother Superior and E. Clayton Cornelious as Eddie Souther. Eddie is one of the newer elements to the story as he is a cop trying to protect Deloris and perhaps catch her eye. In fact, the two went to high school together and clearly there is a little bit of unrequited love in the air.
Florrie Bagel’s performance as the enthusiastic singing nun Mary Patrick perhaps her character most closely resembles the role from the movie as her laughter and body language is so similar to Kathy Najimy from the film. Bagel is simply delightful.
As a fan of the movie I did miss some of the familiar songs such as Happy Day, but the music is catchy and performed well – especially Cornelious’ solo. Alan Menken’s original score works well with the storyline they have created for the stage production.
So, is Sister Act entirely faithful to the movie it pays homage to? No, but that does not make it any less enjoyable. Tickets and more information for the final weekend of shows are available at http://dallassummermusicals.org/shows_sisteract.shtm.
