Sister Act
Musical
Writers:Cheri Steinkellner Bill Steinkellner Alan Menken Glenn Slater Douglas Carter Beane
Overview
Synopsis
Deloris Van Cartier is an aspiring singer in Philadelphia, where she is auditioning to perform at her gangster boyfriends nightclub. Deloris believes that Curtis is going to introduce her to a big producer, but is upset when he tells her she is not ready. Hurt and rejected, Deloris decides to break up with him, but when she goes to find him she accidentally sees him kill one of his cronies. Deloris runs to the police, who place her in hiding at a convent until Curtis is brought to trial. At first, Deloris feels as though it will be the worst thing in the world, chafing against the constraints of convent life and an immovable Reverend Mother, but once she is introduced to the struggling choir at the convent, everything changes. She finds that many of the nuns at the convent are not that different from her, and that they are quite fun to be around. They help give her a bigger purpose in her life, showing her a genuine love and affection that was missing prior to her arrival at the convent. Sister Act is a joyous show that uses music to bring different communities, and lifestyles, together.
Show Information
- Music
- Alan Menken
- Lyrics
- Glenn Slater
- Text And Format
- Douglas Carter Beane
- Based on the Play/Book/Film
- Sister Act
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 2009
- Genres
- Comedy
- Settings
- Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- philadelphia, 1977
- Cast Size
- large
- Orchestra Size
- Medium
- Dancing
- Some Dance
- Licensor
- Music Theatre International
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, Diverse Cast, Ensemble Cast, Large Cast, Mostly Female Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Young Adult Characters
Context
Sister Act is based on the 1992 movie of the name, starring Whoopi Goldberg. The musical originated in the US in 2006/2007 regional productions at the Pasadena Playhouse in California and Theatre Alliance in Atlanta before opening in 2009 at the London Palladium. The West End version was produced in part by Whoopi Goldberg (who also briefly played the role of Reverend Mother). Goldberg was also a producer of the 2011 Broadway adaptation, which underwent significant rewrites prior to the
to read the context for Sister Act and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Act One
In Philadelphia, Deloris and her two backup singers, Tina and Michelle, are auditioning to perform at a club (“Take Me to Heaven”). The club is owned by Deloris’ boyfriend, Curtis Jackson. Curtis and his henchmen Joey, TJ, Pablo, and Ernie are listening to the audition. After the girls finish their song, Curtis is dismissive, telling Deloris they’re not good enough to perform at his club. Deloris is upset by this and says that she will go try someplace else. Curtis responds to her
to read the plot for Sister Act and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
|
|
|
Featured |
Female |
|
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
Songs
Act One
- Take Me to Heaven - Deloris, Michelle, Tina
- Fabulous, Baby! - Deloris, Michelle, Tina
- The Perfect Place - Nuns
- Here Within These Walls - Mother Superior, Deloris, Nuns
- It’s Good to Be a Nun - Nuns, Deloris
- When I Find My Baby - Curtis, Joey, Tj, Pablo
- I Could Be That Guy - Eddie, Ensemble
- Here Within These Walls (Reprise) - Mother Superior, Nuns
- Raise Your Voice - Deloris, Nuns
- Take Me to Heaven - Deloris, Nuns
Act Two
- Sunday Morning Fever - Deloris, Monsignor, Nuns, Eddie, Mother Superior
- Lady in the Long Black Dress - Joey, Tj, Pablo
- I Haven’t Got a Prayer - Mother Superior
- Bless Our Show - Deloris, Nuns
- The Life I Never Led - Mary Robert
- Fabulous, Baby (Reprise) - Eddie, Deloris, Nuns, Ensemble
- Sister Act - Deloris
- When I Find My Baby (Reprise) - Curtis
- The Life I Never Led (Reprise) - Mary Robert
- Sister Act (Reprise) - Deloris, Mother Superior
- Spread the Love Around - Company
- Raise Your Voice - Company
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
A play, musical, or opera that has been adapted from a written work.
A community of members of a religious order, especially nuns
A genre of dance music and a subculture that emerged in the 1970s from the United States' urban nightlife scene.
A traditional genre of Christian music.
Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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