Based on the hit movies starring Whoopi Goldberg, the musical “Sister Act” follows the story of Deloris Van Cartier, a night club performer who dreams of an extravagant life of stardom.
But when Deloris Van Cartier becomes a witness to a murder that her boyfriend has committed, she is quickly sent off to a convent as a part of the witness protection program — the last place anyone would look for her.
Swapping her diva attitude for a habit, Van Cartier transforms herself into the unlikely identity of “Sister Mary ?Clarence.”
Deloris brings a new voice to both the convent and its choir.
Headed by Mother Superior, The Holy Order of the Little Sisters of Our Mother of Perpetual Faith is in for quite the wake-up call.
Mother Superior is less than thrilled upon Deloris’s arrival, however the other nuns are quite intrigued by their new sister.
After Sister Mary Clarence recites a jumbled, misconstrued prayer, the nuns enlighten her on the joys of being a nun in the comical “It’s Good to Be a Nun.”
The ladies’ personalities paired with the song’s clever lyrics had the crowd chuckling throughout the entirety of the song.
“I liked the nuns a lot,” IU junior Robert Johnson said of the interaction between the nuns and their several musical numbers. “Each one ?complements the other. The larger, louder one compared to the small, timid one — it makes for a good balance.”
Eddie, eventual love interest to Deloris and the cop helping her remain incognito, adds some comic relief as well in his solo “I Could Be That Guy.” With three costume changes in the span of a few minutes, it garnered some audience ?attention.
“The costume changes were really impressive,” junior Hannah Thielmeyer said of Eddie’s quick changes.
Ending the first act with two powerhouse gospel numbers, Sister Mary Clarence has revamped the convent’s choir, throwing out the old repertoire and traditions, and adding the pizzazz of her showgirl days.
In a panic, Mother Superior demands Sister Mary ?Clarence be removed.
Throughout the second act, Sister Mary Clarence becomes more and more of an asset to the convent, not only winning the affections of her fellow sisters, but also earning the church some money with such a successful choir.
Despite unleashing her free spirit and shining a new light on her friends at the convent, Sister Mary Clarence is also changed throughout the ?process.
Sister Mary Clarence learns a few things about herself and about what is truly important in life with the help of her ?fellow nuns.
This becomes apparent in both “Bless Our Show” and even more so in the title song “Sister Act.” Realizing they may not be as different as they thought, both Deloris and Mother Superior come to a final place of peace, love and respect.
Deloris then realizes her heart has been captured by her sisters, something that will never be overruled by fame or money.
Leaving the audience with the feel-good number “Spread the Love Around,” the show ended in true Deloris fashion with glitzy costumes, a big production number and energy radiating throughout the aisles of the auditorium.
With music by Tony and eight-time Oscar award-winning composer Alan Menken and lyrics by Tony nominee Glenn Slater, the high-energy show is “a sparkling tribute to the universal power of friendship” and this “heartwarming musical is the perfect feel-good night of theatre for audiences of all ages,” according to the IU ?Auditorium website.
The second and final performance of the show will be tonight at 8 p.m. in the IU Auditorium.
Regular tickets range from $39 to $63 and student tickets range from $21 to $42. Tickets are available at the IU Auditorium box office as well as online at the IU Auditorium website www.iuauditorium.com.
