Rockville Musical Theatre’s Sister Act, produced by Eric Scerbo, was jazzy and humorous and hit all the proper notes because it explored spiritual trauma, discovered household, and self-empowerment via huge, daring musical numbers directed by Scott Richards, choreographed by Duane Monahan and Cathy Oh, and music-directed by .Scott Richards.
Instantly, the viewers is transported to the stage at a preferred nightclub, the place Deloris Van Cartier, performed by Iris Dewitt, channels the likes of Diana Ross, Tina Turner, and different divas as she belts out the primary music of the present, “Take Me to Heaven,” illuminated by a highlight, and afterward, a discoball that speckles the wall of the theater (particular results by Andrew Dodge and set design by Maggie Modig).
True to the music’s title, it’s heavenly, accompanied by an orchestra and backup vocals from Tina (Jasmine Diaz) and Michelle (Mary Efimetz), clad in matching one-pieces that glitter and sparkle (Ginger Ager, costume design), harking back to the loud, gaudy outfits that have been typical for the ’80s.
Deloris is a personality rather a lot like all of us — a dreamer with a ardour for the factor she loves, even when it doesn’t essentially pay all of the payments and her profession has plateaued. In spite of everything, isn’t that the truth of the typical artist? Caught between eager to create and making ends meet?
After witnessing a homicide, Deloris results in the Witness Safety Program, a pivotal second within the musical as we see her go from wannabe diva, thirsty for stardom, to a fish out of water making an attempt to navigate her new actuality as a nun in a convent, caught in a battle between her hidden identification and the younger, wild, and free girl she needs to be. Her frustration together with her predicament is disguised as witty jokes (e.g., “Jesus freak”) and harsh, but thoughtful, phrases of knowledge from Mom Superior (Carmel Ferrer), however then “The Lord’s Prayer” is recited, and like Deloris, who rapidly spits out the scripture, virtually as if to show herself, I felt myself activate like a sleeper agent.
It’s been years since I attended a church service, strolling away from the establishment after spending 12 years of my childhood attending Sunday college, Trip Bible Faculty, and all the things in between; but I used to be saying the prayer to myself on muscle reminiscence.
In hindsight, for a musical riddled with spiritual themes — the great, the unhealthy, and the ugly — my response was akin to the consequences of indoctrination rising up in a cult.
However maybe it was the refined reference to home violence and being trapped in a relationship, one the place there’s management and manipulation, as Curtis (performed by Tommie Adams) reminisced on how a lot he is aware of that lady, who simply so occurs to be Deloris — the identical lady he gifted a fur coat that actually belonged to his spouse. Curtis spends a lot of the rest of the present determined to trace her down, even going so far as to threaten to kill her and the opposite sisters. For a lot of victims of home violence, as has typically been mentioned, essentially the most harmful time is after they go away.
In a time when the nuclear household unit is prioritized, the themes of sisterhood and located household are outstanding as Delores explores her new life, influencing and provoking others alongside the best way to do the identical.
I laughed, I cried, particularly when Sister Mary Robert, performed by Ava Silberman, crooned “The Life I By no means Led,” expressing deep emotions of grief over not having and doing all of the issues we’ve been informed we must always by a sure age, or when “Sweaty Eddie” (Clayton Alex James) stopped being sweaty. General, I had a extremely good time, with the two-and-a-half-hour runtime flying by as I hummed and clapped alongside to the beat. Greater than a musical with catchy songs and well-thought-out choreography, Sister Act is meals for the soul, a present that encourages the viewers to embrace change and develop.
Operating Time: Two and a half hours with one intermission.
Sister Act performs via July 12, 2026 (July 10–11 at 7:30 pm; July 4–5 and 12 at 2:00 pm), offered by the Rockville Musical Theatre, performing on the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, Rockville Civic Middle Park, 603 Edmonston Drive, Rockville, MD. Buy tickets ($26; $23 for college kids and seniors) on-line, by calling the Field Workplace (240-314-8690), or by e mail (boxoffice@rockvillemd.gov).
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Sister Act
Music by Alan Menken
Lyrics by Glenn Slater
Ebook by Cheri Steinkellner & Invoice Steinkellner
Extra Ebook Materials by Douglas Carter Beane
Based mostly on the Touchstone Photos Movement Image “Sister Act” Written by Joseph Howard
PRODUCTION
Directed by Duane Monahan
Produced by Eric Scerbo
Music Directed by Scott Richards
Choreographed by Duane Monahan & Cathy Oh
