Fabulous, Baby! Congregation-pleasing screen-to-stage adaptation Sister Act the Musical spreads the Sunday Morning Fever as it makes its long overdue Australian premiere tour in heavenly form.
Premiering on the West End back in 2009 and on Broadway in 2011, Sister Act the Musical has become a particular favourite in the UK, enjoying three UK tours and two West End revivals. The current Australian tour is a replica of the 2022 West End revival, which treated London to a return season this year.
While the soundtrack of the original 1992 movie Sister Act was hugely popular, the stage musical boasts its own original score by prolific tunesmith Alan Menken (music) and Glenn Slater (lyrics). For the Broadway production, the book by Cheri Steinkellner and Bill Steinkellner was sharpened by comedic playwright Douglas Carter Beane and this version continues in use.
Brimming with joy, Sister Act the Musical is rollicking, feel-good entertainment. The breezy storyline about a hapless wannabe lounge singer on the run is filled with endearing, quirky characters. The plot takes a little while to hit its strides, but once Deloris Van Cartier is ensconced in the convent and takes on the creaky choir, the musical really takes flight.
Laugh out loud funny, the true heart of the success of the musical is the instantly accessible, toe-tapping music by Menken paired with wittily amusing lyrics by Slater. Song after song features infectious melodic hooks, generously shared between the dozen or so characters. Stand out numbers include convent warmer “It’s Good To Be A Nun,” act two opener “Sunday Morning Fever,” and merry charm song “Bless Our Show.” The initial choir sequence “Raise Your Voice” is also an especial delight.
Amidst the rousing company numbers, ballads bring an inner invoice to characters, with Mother Superior lamenting that they “Haven’t Got A Prayer,” Deloris reflecting on her “Sister Act,” and burgeoning postulant Sister Mary Robert breaking out with late I wish song, “The Life I Never Led.”
Working with musical supervisor Steven Brooker, musical director Daniel Griffin, himself on keys, leads a tight, soulful orchestra of seven fellow musicians.
Director Bill Buckhurst keeps energy unflaggingly high and characterisations broad. Choreographer Alistair David delivers relatively simple dance but adds particular value by inventively opening up each number in surprising ways.
The simple yet very effective stage design is a collaboration between set designer Morgan Large and lighting designer Tim Mitchell. A series of concentric arches of stained glass window motifs, embedded lights fill the space with fabulous colour.
Large’s costumes celebrate the late-1970s setting in deliberately seedy style. A double costume trick for earnest constable Eddie Souther in “I Could Be That Guy” has to be seen to be believed. Full company finale costumes sparkle with eye-popping colour, the habits lavishly remade in a rainbow of jewel tones.
Having steadily built up an impressive résumé of musical theatre credits, much loved performer Casey Donovan deservedly takes on her first leading role as big-hearted misfit Deloris. With radiant presence and ravishing voice, Donovan lights up her every stage moment, successfully taking Deloris on a highly engaging journey from recalcitrant, self-focused starlet to soulful, impassioned sister.
Hardy veteran Genevieve Lemon brings a stubborn twinkle to the eye of necessarily stern Mother Superior. The rare musical comedy without a central traditional love story, Sister Act instead focuses upon the push and pull between Mother Superior and her new charge, Deloris, with Lemon and Donovan enjoying wonderfully warm chemistry.
The supporting sisters each make their mark, with a particular delight being Bianca Bruce as the infectiously giggling Sister Mary Patrick. Sophie Montague conveys the resolute determination of Sister Mary Robert, raising the roof with power ballad “The Life I Never Led.” Rhonda Burchmore captures the world weary wisdom of Sister Mary Lazarus, scoring laughs when Lazarus unexpectedly proves a deft rapper.
Continuing a successful move into musical theatre from opera, Raphael Wong earns an abundance of audience affection as kindly cop Eddie Souther. James Bryers works hard to bring an edge of menace to nightclub gangster Curtis Jackson. Damien Bermingham is a cheery composite of every catholic priest as Monsignor O’Hara.
Guaranteed to leave the audience on a merry high, Sister Act the Musical is ideal festive season entertainment.
Sister Act the Musical plays at Regent Theatre, Melbourne until 26 January 2025. For tickets, click here.
Sister Act the Musical plays at Lyric Theatre, Brisbane from 8 February 2025. For tickets, click here.
Sister Act the Musical plays at Festival Theatre, Adelaide from 22 March 2025. For tickets, click here.
Sister Act the Musical plays at Crown Theatre, Perth from 26 April 2025. For tickets, click here.
Photos: Daniel Boud
Categories: Music Theatre, Reviews
Man in Chair 
Hello Simon,
A very fair review. I went last week and agree with most of what you’ve said, although overall I think the music is quite forgettable, the opening of Act 2 was the “show-stopper” for me. Certainly a very simple but effective set that brings to mind Dame Edna’s “colour and movement possums!” The band was very tight – and very loud, in fact I thought the singing was blocked out at times. Overall, a fun show but I wouldn’t bother seeing it a 2nd time.
Thanks, Christopher. Glad to hear you have already seen Sister Act.
I agree that colour and movement are at the forefront here!
In regard to the music, given audience affection for the songs in the original movie, I think Menken did a good job of creating earworms and toe-tappers that the audience could enjoy and not miss the movie songs too much.
Overall, I would of course prefer a Sondheim or the likes but Sister Act is good GP fun.
I went to see Sister Act The Musical on Sat 16th November. I must say that I was not at all impressed with it. Casey Donaven was spectacular but didn’t see Rhonda Burchmore at all. No mention that she wouldn’t be in this performance at all. Very disappointing! Firstly, whoever dressed Casey Donaven for the first act must need their heads examined. The dress, although glittery, was far too short and I would hazard a guess to say that the people in the first few rows would have been able to see more than they thought they would see. She would have been better dressed in a long slender dress as she was in the finale. She looked fantastic in the finale with a dress that suited her figure. As we only know Sister Act by what we have seen, and for many of us, many times, there were certainly many glaring differences. The 3 offsides gangsters looked and acted more like the 3 stooges than gangsters and I felt that the storyline was way off from what we knew. And what happened with the music and the songs that we had come to live in the film. There were none of these songs in it that you could associate with the Sister Act that we all know. The sets were reasonably good but they could have been better. If this stage show was supposed to be inspired by the movie, it certainly lacked to do so. I go to see most musicals when they come here, spending good money on good seats and I was certainly disappointed with this. After waiting 10 months to see it, I was extremely disappointed. I noted that quite a few people left after the first act. I certainly will not be going to see it a second time. Lesley
Thanks, Leslie.
Just sharing a tip that musicals playing in Melbourne have an LCD screen in the foyer that shows the cast for that performance. This can be a good resource to check the names of the actors who will appear in that particular performance.
Watched it London and agree with everyone that the music was a massive let down. Sure, through in some original songs but keep the iconic songs from the movie.
We went and watched Sister Act in Melbourne last night and I have to save I left disappointed. No Casey Donovan which was bad enough and not one song from the movie – why. It was called Sister Act which is why we went as we loved the movie.
I don’t understand, they followed the movie with the characters yet played not one song. My recollection of musicals I have seen over many years is they normally follow the book or the movie, etc. Second half of the show really dragged on. We rated this musical a 5
Horrible. Worst thing I’ve ever paid money for. All of the sound engineers should be sacked. Flat, uninspired, snoozefest. Sets were the best part of the whole show. Wanted it to end so badly and the finale wasn’t worth waiting for.
We were at the last matinee show in Melbourne yesterday – I almost left before intermission, but stuck it out! Very disappointed! whilst the talent is there, it was almost amateur high school vibe. I too wanted a fab finale, but was very left flat!