When I first saw Sister Act was on the Hale Center Theatre schedule this year I let out a little groan. It’s not that I hate the show it’s just performed a lot and it seemed like a real bland pick. Well, it just goes to show one should always keep an open mind because I saw their production on Saturday and thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s a sweet, entertaining and well performed piece of musical theatre.

If you don’t know Sister Act is based on the classic 1992 film starring Whoopi Goldberg and Maggie Smith. That movie was set in 1992 in Las Vegas but for the musical they move it back to 1978 and to Philadelphia. This is a smart move by the creators because it allows the productions to embrace the disco sparkle of the late 70s and they certainly do at Hale especially the sparkly costumes by Joy Zhu. It also helps keep things grounded so we don’t have to worry about the nuns and their singing hitting big on tiktok or anything like that.

I saw the TThS cast and it is excellent across the board. Deloris Van Cartier is played by Mack and Mother Superior is my old voice teacher Amanda Crabb (one of the best roles I’ve seen her in. She’s basically a co-lead.) This musical, however, is all about the sisterhood (pun intended) and they are all very lovely and have nice chemistry together. It’s always a little surprising how dark things get with the villain Curtis but they are trying to hide Deloris from criminals so some sense of danger is appropriate. Aioleoge Lesa is sniveling and fun as Deloris’ mob-boss boyfriend Curtis. He has a deep booming voice that is very memorable.

For the most part the songs are just ok in this musical with pleasant Alan Menken music and reliably bland lyrics from Glenn Slater. The two highlights are in Act II with Mother Superior singing “I Haven’t Got a Prayer” which Crabb sings powerfully and “The Life I Never Led” sung by Sister Mary Roberts played by Makenna Ashby. The latter might be Slater’s most touching lyrics he’s ever written or maybe I just connect with it as someone who always stayed pretty close to what was expected of me by my faith and loved ones. I also really enjoyed Christian Patrick Wawro as Eddie and his song “I Could be that Guy.” He and Mack have nice chemistry together and their romance is a fun side story to the main plot.

This production of Sister Act at Hale uses their main stage in just the right ways so it adds spectacle without getting distracting. Director Dave Tinney has gotten the most out of his cast and everything moves and flows from scene to scene with ease. I also liked the projections and stained glass by Madeline Ashton and scenic design by Danna Barney and Ryan Simmons (they have a very cool old TV prop visual effect that is a nostalgic throwback to the 70s.

Even though it does have some dark moments and themes Sister Act at Hale is still something that most families can enjoy together. Certainly if you’ve seen the movie you’ll be fine with this musical (although it has completely different songs than the movie) version. I bet it will make you want to praise the Lord you’re enjoying it so much. It is playing through October 25th and tickets can be purchased here.

Sister Act has music by Alan Menken with lyrics by Glenn Slater and a book by Cheri and Bill Steinkellner. It is based on the 1992 film with a screenplay by Joseph Howard. It premiered in the West End in 2009 and on Broadway in 2011

If you enjoy my writing and would like me to review your production I’d love to. I also have a patreon which is a great way to support my shorter logs for shows I don’t get to review. I have some really fun perks like bonus episodes, patron polls and monthly Q&As with actors, directors and writers. Please take a look here.