By Becky Evans
I had the pleasure to attend a sneak peak of Sister Act at the Empress Theatre in Magna which opens Friday, Sept 1. The Empress Theatre is a cozy intimate venue that has undergone some nice improvements including new paint and very comfy seats. Sister Act is a Broadway-style musical based on the 1992 movie starring Whoopie Goldberg. This show has a great message that is very much needed today–a message of acceptance and growth no matter where a person comes from. Deloris Van Cartier (played by Cheryl Cripps) is a lounge singer who needs to hide in a convent as part of a witness protection program. She learns to love the convent sisters even though they dress differently, talk differently, and basically view the world so very differently than herself.
The talent in the Empress Theatre’s production of Sister Act cast is impressive. From the moment Cripps steps on stage with her amazing hair and big voice, it is obvious that she and her character are both “fabulous.” Mother Superior (Alisa Woodbrey) has a beautiful warm alto voice and the way she phrases her lyrics makes her endearing and relatable. Woodbrey’s gentle vibrato and warmth contrast perfectly with Cripps’ edgy bright sound as their personalities clash with each other in the first act.
When you think of Sister Act, you usually think about a bunch of women dressed as nuns, but one of my favorite moments in the show is when the men come out and sing “When I Find My Baby.” Alex Richardson, Ben Tutor, Jose Hernandez, and Whitaker Olsen bring so much energy and huge personalities to the stage. They are hilarious and everything about them, even down to their sleazy looks and mannerisms, is on pointe. Another male lead, Sweaty Eddie (Glen Reber) is also excellent. His character, along with Deloris and Mother Superior make the biggest character arc and make the biggest changes in the course of the show.
All of the sisters are fun and display their various personalities well. Sister Mary Robert (Ehlana Gifford) has theatrical maturity and shines in her role as the convent novice. Sister Mary Patrick (Candice Jorgenson) caught my eye on multiple occasions as she exudes positivity and sparkles as the happy, somewhat boisterous sister.
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Ty Whiting added some fun as a Drag Queen throughout the show and as costumer I admired the way he made it obvious that some characters have sordid pasts without the immodesty that would make an audience uncomfortable in such an intimate setting. Skyler Bluemel and Lindy Bowthorpe-Davis did great as Music Director and Choreographer. As we left to intermission, everyone was singing “Take Me to Heaven.” I overheard some teenagers talking about how much they loved the choreography, especially the “Dumbo move” performed by the nuns with their veils.
This was my first time seeing a non-black Deloris but Cripps won my heart. As Director Glen Carpenter wrote in his Director’s note, ” This isn’t a story about race–it’s a story about two worlds coming together and figuring out how they can make it work. It’s a story about women finding out they are far more than what they believed themselves to be. That’s something we can all relate to and need to learn to deal with.” This is a show that many people can enjoy. There are a few swear words and the presence of guns onstage but my own children enjoyed it with me. Go experience Sister Act for yourself. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll feel the guilt of original sin. Fridays and Saturdays Sept 1-16 at 7:30 PM. Saturday matinees at 2:00 PM. Family Night Sept 11.
The Empress Theatre presents Sister Act, music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Glenn Slater, book by Bill and Cheri Steinkellner and additional book material by Douglas Carter Beane. The Empress Theater, 9104 W 2700 South, Magna, UT 84044 Contact: 801-347-7373, empress@empresstheatre.com Sept 1-2, 8-9, 11, 15-16, 7:30 PM, Saturday Matinee at 2:00 PM Tickets: $10 Facebook Page Facebook Event
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