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Also see Ann's review of 1776
No worries about the score. Resetting the plot to the '70s gave Menken and Slater the opportunity to write some fitting and entertaining pastiche numbers, which combine with gospel-infused and musical theatre style songs to form a more than adequate musical framework for the thin plot. Deloris Van Cartier (Ta'Rea Campbell) wants to be a singer and thinks her gangster boyfriend Curtis Jackson (Kingsley Leggs) can help her reach that goal, but he has no interest in doing that (in fact, he has no interest at all in her). When she witnesses Curtis committing a crime, he's willing to kill her to save his hide. With the help of policeman Eddie Souther (E. Clayton Cornelious), Deloris goes into hiding at a convent. There, she befriends many of the nuns, though she and Mother Superior (Hollis Resnik) clash on a number of issues. Deloris quickly takes the nun choir from singing disasters to Vegas-style, glitter-robed showgirls. Meanwhile, Curtis and his thugs won't stop until they hunt Deloris down. The musical's book, by Cheri Steinkellner and Bill Steinkellner, with additional material by Douglas Carter Beane, goes straight for the comic jugular. Eddie isn't just sweet and shy (and gun shy)—he's Barney Fife falling down funny. Sister Mary Patrick (Florrie Bagel) isn't just bubbly and animated (and a copy of film's hilarious Kathy Najimy), she's Paul Lynde bobble-head, finger-wiggling funny. Those are directorial choices, of course—the actors do their jobs and take the advantages offered them to stand out in less clownish ways. Cornelious in particular delivers a stunning highlight of the show with his song, "I Could Be That Guy." In opposition to the comic bar set so high is the seriousness of the character of Curtis, who is drawn with almost no humor. Since he actually shoots people in the head on stage, it's way too stark a clash. No fault of Leggs, who is quite good and is well supported by his gang of Todd A. Horman (Joey), Ernie Pruneda (Pablo) and Charles Barksdale (TJ). They work well together on a great Motown group homage with "When I Find My Baby," and the trio of sidekicks are truly funny on "Haven't Got a Prayer." Resnik's Mother Superior quietly seethes and adds a palpable sincerity to her songs. The character of Deloris Van Cartier has been written with a more realistic brush, and Campbell is satisfying with the humor, the sass, and the singing. Costuming by Lez Brotherston adds to the hilarity, particularly with the outrageous outfits for the nuns as they sing, and swing, the church to financial success. Compared to some recent, stunning tour production sets we've seen, this one by Klara Zieglerova seems minimal and doesn't add a lot of depth to the stage picture. There are authentically funny bits and dialogue in the show, but there is also some lame humor and odd "jokes," which don't honor the time period (some that feel too modern, and others, including two plays on the word "negro," that just don't seem right for any comedy). I'll admit the audience at the performance I attended were nearly crying with laughter. So, if you think I'm being picky and curmudgeonly, you will find a lot more joy here than I did. Sister Act the national tour continues at the Benedum Center through February 10. For tickets and performance information, visit trustarts.culturaldistrict.org/production/32857. For more information on the tour, visit sisteractbroadway.com.
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