Sister Act
at St. Andrew's Episcopal School

Reviewed on February 24, 2018

Katherine Kelly
McLean High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

Strobe lights, glitter, and fog machines in a convent? When an aspiring musician meets a struggling nunnery in St. Andrew's Episcopal School's Sister Act, hilarity and chaos ensue as the unlikely combination finds the power to raise their voices.

Sister Act was originally a 1992 film starring Whoopi Goldberg before being adapted into a musical. The show, with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Glenn Slater, and followed by a book by Bill and Cheri Steinkellner, opened on West End in 2009 and on Broadway in 2011. It follows Deloris Van Cartier, who is striving for stardom and finally ready to leave her restrictive boyfriend, Curtis...when she finds him and his gang shooting another man. After informing the police, where Deloris is reacquainted with her childhood friend, "Sweaty Eddie", she is hidden in a nunnery for protection. Forced to trade her shimmering pink boots for a black nun's habit and become Sister Mary Clarence, Deloris finds herself leading an unexpected journey, but tables are turned when she realizes her love of singing might be exactly what the convent needs.

Inspiring the nuns to get the rafters ringing was Ella Douglass, playing Deloris. While the role may seem all glitz and glam, Douglass did a commendable job allowing emotion to pervade in more solemn moments throughout the show, speaking to the complexity of her character. Douglass also maintained a dynamic chemistry with the other nuns, notably Ashley Webb and Devin Lucas, playing Sister Mary Patrick and Sister Mary Robert respectively. Webb gave an impeccable performance as Sister Mary Patrick, with her vivacious persona and light-hearted comedy winning the hearts of the audience. Meanwhile, Lucas delivered perfectly her character's arc, as her endearing shyness was replaced with a bold and vivacious energy. Both Webb and Lucas impressed with technically sound voices, executing each captivating number expertly.

Other onstage standouts included Leia Terrenzi as Mother Superior, whose deadpan delivery and comedic timing accentuated her annoyance with Deloris. Contrastingly, Colin McLearn as Eddie highlighted his lovable adoration for Deloris, especially impressing with mellifluous vocals in "I Could Be That Guy." Adding dimension to Curtis's villainous gang, Stefen Rincon, playing Pablo, elicited peals of laughter with his energetic movements and rapid Spanish. Finally, the production was tied together by the effervescent nun ensemble, impressing with delightful harmonies, strong chemistry, and high energy.

An array of suitable technical features was also noteworthy. Colored lighting set the mood for each scene, with a memorable eerie blue marking Curtis's club. A phenomenal on-stage orchestra performed difficult pieces without error, bringing spirit to each song. Set pieces were cleverly used in multiple ways, with a lamp becoming a microphone and a table becoming a stage when Deloris daydreamed of fame. Together, the cast and crew put on a thoroughly impressive production.

When the bold and sparkling Deloris attempts to blend in with a group of pious nuns, a convent is turned upside down, but friendship and sisterhood endure. St. Andrew's Episcopal School delivered Sister Act with confidence and pizzazz, creating a performance that will "Take You to Heaven."

Grace Jenkins
Westfield High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

A solemn stone church rests placidly as reverent hymns of praise emerge. Across the dull environment saunters a flashy young woman with sparkling platform disco boots; and thus, St. Andrew's Episcopal School's Sister Act begins.

The musical Sister Act was based on the film of the same title, released in 1992, that starred Whoopi Goldberg. Its success led to a sequel, Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit. After the ample cinema success, the musical was produced in 2006 and eventually premiered on Broadway in 2011. The musical follows a spunky nightclub singer, Deloris Van Cartier, as she hides away in a convent after witnessing a murder. While in the convent, she grows closer to the other nuns as she helps their musically challenged nun choir until they become something exceptional.

The demanding energy level of Deloris Van Cartier was followed through by actress Ella Douglass within many scenes and interactions. Douglass displayed alluring confidence whether sauntering about in nightclub attire or singing gospel songs with the nuns. As Deloris's relationship with Sister Mary Robert progressed, actress Devin Lucas transformed her character from the shy, innocent, young postulant, to one with a brilliant booming voice and over-powering passion. Eyes were drawn to the bubbly Sister Mary Patrick, played by Ashley Webb. Webb kept up her high energy, alluring bright smile, and precise movements, putting purpose into every motion, word, and exceptional note hit.

The ensemble of lively nuns is truly what makes the show. Each nun had bright expressions, bold dance moves, and adorable interactions with one another. Excitement bubbled up within the nuns before erupting into the exhilarating song "Raise Your Voice." The other energetic ensemble was the three sidekicks to Deloris's criminal ex-boyfriend, played by Cameron Behram, Caleb Eganfrei, and Stefen Rincon. The vigorous womanizers evoked humor with every appearance. Each member of the cast contributed a unique character, regardless of the number of lines. The nuns especially showed unity "just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body" (1 Corinthians 12:12).

Across the stage was a large stone church with an elegant staircase where most of the scenes took place. For the few nightclub scenes, the lights focused on the center and walls moved to transform into the glitzy glam stage for Deloris and her backup girls. The costumes helped display the transformation the nuns had after Deloris's arrival. Starting with a plain black nun outfit, they eventually received a sparkling over-piece to perform their funky fresh hymns.

The theme of the musical, as well as the performance, was overall togetherness. The cast and crew's involvement beautifully created the beloved show as they made believers of the audience, demonstrating, "Yes, I am a part of the terrific Sister Act"

Aubrey Winger
Loudoun Valley High School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com

If you think sequins and sparkle have no place within convent walls, heaven help you! St. Andrew's Episcopal School proved that even nuns can have fun in their soul-infused production of Sister Act.

Sister Act first originated as a 1992 film starring Whoopi Goldberg. A smash hit, the movie was adapted into a musical, opening on Broadway in 2011. Although the original movie soundtrack was replaced by a score composed by Alan Menken, the plot remained the same. Wannabe disco star Deloris Van Cartier (Ella Douglass) witnesses her gangster boyfriend murder one of his accomplices. Now possessing a testimony that could lock him up for good, Deloris must be hidden somewhere he would never look: The Queen of Angels Convent.

Sweaty Eddie (Colin McLearn) was smitten with Deloris as soon as she sauntered into his police station. His endearing awkwardness and attempts to help her evade her boyfriend Curtis (Matt Helmbrecht) made him the perfect underdog. However, this gawkiness faded away as he dazzled the audience with his clear tone and skillful vibrato in his soulful rendition of "I Could Be That Guy".

Mother Superior, portrayed by Leia Terrenzi, highlighted her distaste for anything but tradition with her deadpan delivery and condemnation of Deloris's attempts to revitalize the choir. However, she came to accept Deloris as a sister, almost taking a bullet for her before getting down to boogie.

Sister Mary Patrick (Ashley Webb) was a heavenly ray of light in every scene. Her unfiltered enthusiasm and bubbly personality contrasted with some of the older, more cantankerous members of the convent. Although Sister Mary Lazarus (Claire van Stolk) seemed crotchety at first, she quickly grew to love Deloris, spitting fire with her Latin rap sequences in the nuns' performances. Sister Mary Robert (Devin Lucas), the postulate in the convent, transformed from a soft-spoken, submissive child to a woman who wasn't afraid to speak her mind. Her simple authenticity and incredible vocal ability in her solo number, "The Life I Never Led" brought the house down.

The buffoonery and lack of flirting skills of Joey (Caleb EganFrei), Pablo (Stephen Rincon), and TJ (Cameron Behram) made for some hilarious moments as they attempted to track down Deloris for their boss. The nuns were equally as comical, developing quirky personalities and blossoming in their ensemble numbers. In particular, Sydney Jackson didn't let her habit and veil get in the way of her dance moves: her facial expressions and commitment to her choreography never disappointed.

The levels of the set allowed for entertaining chase scenes to transpire throughout the production. Lighting was fairly consistent throughout; during the murder sequence, creative use of blue light gave the entire scene an ominous feel. The pit orchestra had clearly mastered the style of 70's funk; their energy and command of the score complemented the actors perfectly.

Count your blessings if you were lucky enough to witness Sister Act this weekend. St. Andrew's Players proved that friends can be found in the most unlikely of places, and with the power of disco on your side, anything is possible.

Anna Krelovich
Westfield High School
Submitted for publication to Maryland Theater Guide

What happens when a flashy diva is forced to abandon her glitzy life and join a convent? Why, catchy 70's tunes and unbreakable bonds of sisterhood, of course! That's exactly what happens in St. Andrew's Episcopal School's lively and energetic production of Sister Act, showing the astounding power of female empowerment and friendship.

Based on the 1992 movie of the same name, Sister Act is a musical featuring music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Glenn Slater, and a book by Bill and Cheri Steinkellner. First premiering in Pasadena in 2006, Sister Act then made its West End debut in 2009. In 2011, the musical opened on Broadway garnering 5 Tony nominations. Receiving fantastically positive reviews, and has gone on to be produced countless times all over the world.

Sister Act follows aspiring singer Deloris Van Cartier, who, after witnessing her gangster boyfriend Curtis murder someone, is forced to go into hiding in order to avoid being murdered herself. Entering a convent, Deloris assumes the role of a nun and becomes Sister Mary Clarence. Never being a religious person, Deloris only finds comfort in leading the atrocious convent choir, inspiring them with the introduction disco and soul music.

Ella Douglass was tasked with the daunting role of the feisty Deloris. Douglass energetically exuded confidence, empowering the nun choir in songs like "Raise Your Voice" and "Take Me to Heaven (Nun Choir)." One of the nuns most empowered by Deloris' words is Sister Mary Robert, portrayed by Devin Lucas. A young postulate knowing nothing other than religion, Lucas was initially adorably quiet and timid. She quickly comes out of her shell and is adorably giddy in her newfound empowerment, finally questioning her position in the nunnery while simultaneously showcasing an astounding voice in "The Life I Never Led." On the other hand, Mother Superior, portrayed by Leia Terrenzi, was completely unapproving of Deloris' direction of the choir, being a pious woman wishing to maintain tradition in her convent. Terrenzi sustained an intimidating sternness and authority, but after realizing the importance of sisterhood above all, she accepts Deloris and her ideas in "Sister Act Reprise."

Colin McLearn portrayed the nerdy "Sweaty" Eddie, a policeman helping Deloris stay in hiding. McLearn was lovably nervous and awkward, dreaming of one day when his high school crush Deloris will notice him. The song "I Could Be That Guy" allowed for McLearn to divulge his dream of being confident while showcasing jaw-dropping vocal talent. Other standout performances include Ashley Webb as the giddy and excitable Sister Mary Patrick and Neeve Izadi as the friendly preacher turned trendy emcee Monsignor, who both lit up the stage with humorous comic moments.

The simple stage allowed the cast to shine, with a grey stone structure featuring a staircase up to a balcony, with turrets and archways to resemble a church. The cast donned appropriate religious garb while at the church, but as their choir performances became more extravagant, as did their costumes, adding glitzy aprons to match their dazzling performances.

Deloris ensures the audience that she is "Fabulous, Baby!" but with an energetic cast and quality singers, St. Andrew's Episcopal School's production of Sister Act proves that not Deloris isn't the only thing that's fabulous.