Review: Sister Act: The Musical (UK Tour)

Musical: Sister Act: The Musical [UK Tour]
Venue: Opera House, Manchester, UK
Date: 29th September 2011
Cast: Cynthia Erivo (Deloris Van Cartier/Sister Mary Clarence), Denise Black (Mother Superior), Michael Starke (Monsignor O' Hara), Julie Atherton (Sister Mary Robert), Laurie Scarth (Sister Mary Patrick), Jacqueline Clarke (Sister Mary Lazarus), Edward Baruwa (Eddie Souther), Cavin Cornwall (Curtis Jackson)
Rating: ***1/2

Review: 

It's been quite a while since I last saw a show so I was quite looking forward to this one and I must say that I had a really good time. I was at the Manchester Opera House for the opening night of the UK Tour of Sister Act: The Musical after having missed it when it was playing at the London Palladium last year. I own the Original London Cast with Patina Miller in the leading role of Deloris and I can tell, though having never seen the show before, that the touring production has changed a lot from its original London version. Later, I found out that the touring production is mainly based on the current Broadway production. 

There were quite a few changes and cuts to the production. I was sad that they cut the prologue where Mother Superior prays to the God. I always find that such an interesting way to open a show and I love how it links to Deloris' opening. The show now starts with Deloris performing "Take Me to Heaven" at an audition, rather than an actual performance like in the London recording or in the movie, lots of jewelry mishap as well :P. "How I Got the Calling" was changed to an inferior "It's Good to Be a Nun" while the "Do the Sacred Mass" was totally removed. Mother Superior gets a new and better song in Act Two called "Haven't Got a Prayer" instead of the boring reprise of "Here Within These Walls".

Denise Black performing "Here Within These Walls"

 Talking about the music by Alan Menken, I feel that Sister Act tries to play with and poke fun at the cliche 60s black music, especially with the male numbers. At times, it works quite well but after one or two songs, it did get a bit tiring especially one the two numbers were back-to-back (i.e."When I Find My Baby" and "I Could Be That Guy"). I do feel that the show could get more laugh from the second song had they kept "Do the Sacred Mass" or had at least one song in between. The female numbers, on the other hand, were very conventional Menken's Disney-ish songs that allow the girls to belt their guts out ("The Life I Never Led" and "Sister Act"). "Raise Your Voice", though very cheesy, was quite an outstanding number in the show. 

The lyrics by Glenn Slater was mere serviceable. Nothing really stood out to me. The book by Cheri and Bill Steinkellner, though funny, was rather thin and at times, didn't make sense. By cutting "How I Got the Calling", I think Mary Robert's background was a lot less important and didn't make her "The Life I never Led" as strong as it could have been. There were also many points that I didn't get in the show -- Why Eddie's room? What makes Mother Superior change her mind so fast? -- and the ending was way too easy.

Cynthia Erivo is our Deloris Van Cartier (AKA Sister Mary Clarence) and though she is not as charismatic as the original Whoopi Goldberg or Patina Miller, she still rocks the part and sings the role very well. I actually prefer her in a nun costume. The Mother Superior is played by Denise Black whom I have never heard of. She acts the part very well as the strict head of the Church but her singing is still lacking in my opinion. It seems that she still struggles with some of the high notes, or maybe it was just her off-night?

Cynthai Erivo and Denise Black
as Deloris Van Cartier and Mother Superior

Cynthia Erivo in the reprise of "Fabulous, Baby!"

The real stars of the show, I must say, are the nuns. Laurie Scarth, whom I saw as Tracy in Hairspray last year, totally steals the show as the chubby hyperactive Sister Mary Patrick. Julie Atherton was cute as the postulant Mary Robert and damn could that girl sings!! Jacqueline Clarke was hilarious as the more senior Sister Mary Lazarus. The whole nun ensemble was just outstanding from their first moment on stage where they sang the hymns so off-key to when they learned how to "raise" their voice and from how they rocked the theatre with their rendition of "Take Me to Heaven" to the final "Spread the Love Around". You simply just can't stop laughing.

Jacqueline Clarke, Julie Atherton and Laurie Scarth
as Sisters Mary Lazarus, Mary Robert and Mary Patrick

The male leads didn't really get as many chances to shine in this show. Edward Baruwa as Eddie was all right in the role. I couldn't feel much chemistry between him and Deloris in the show. I wish they could have given some more time in the police station scene to build up the characters. But the double quick change during his number was quite impressive. As Curtis, Cavin Cornwall has one of the smoothest low voices I've heard, though his acting could have been a bit stronger. The trio of Gavin Alex, Tyrone Huntley and Daniel Stockton as Pablo, TJ and Joey did provide some comedic relief in Act One but their trio number in Act Two didn't feel right to me. I was also surprised to find Michael Starke's name in the show as I didn't know that he was in it and he did a really great job as Monsignor, though it reminded me a lot of when he was in The Rocky Horror Show.

Michael Starke as Monsignor O' Hara
seen here with Denise Black

I also enjoyed the production a lot. I think the scenes and props were quite well done for a touring production. The nun's reprise of "Take Me to Heaven" definitely stood out for me as one of the best production numbers I've seen this year. 

Take Me to Heaven (Reprise)

Honestly, I feel that the show survives because people just love Sister Act: The Movie so much that they were ready to have a good time at the show and not caring too much about the book. And in that sense, they really do succeed because though the book was thin, I still had a really fun night out at Sister Act. Really recommended for anyone looking for a good night out at the theatre. (Ignore the book a bit and you'll have a really great time!)

Spread the Love Around

MUSICAL NUMBERS

ACT ONE

Take Me to Heaven... Deloris, Michelle and Tina

Fabulous, Baby!... Deloris, Michelle and Tina

Here Within These Walls... Mother Superior and Deloris

It's Good to Be a Nun... Deloris, Mary Patrick, Mary Robert, Mary Lazarus and Nuns

When I Find My Baby... Curtis, Joey, Pablo and TJ

I Could Be That Guy... Eddie and Bums

Raise Your Voice... Deloris, Mary Patrick, Mary Robert, Mary Lazarus and Nuns

Take Me to Heaven (Reprise)... Deloris, Mary Patrick, Mary Robert, Mary Lazarus and Nuns

ACT TWO

Sunday Morning Fever... Deloris, Mother Superior, Monsignor O' Hara, Eddie, Mary Patrick, Mary Robert, Mary Lazarus and Nuns

Lady in the Long Black Dress... Joey, Pablo and TJ

Haven't Got a Prayer... Mother Superior

Bless Our Show... Deloris, Mary Patrick, Mary Robert, Mary Lazarus and Nuns

The Life I Never Led... Mary Robert

Fabulous, Baby! (Reprise)... Deloris, Eddie, Nuns and Fantasy Dancers

Sister Act... Deloris

When I Find My Baby (Reprise)... Curtis

The Life I Never Led (Reprise)... Mary Robert

Sister Act (Reprise)... Deloris, Mother Superior and Nuns

Spread the Love Around... Full Company