Milwaukee’s Skylight Music Theatre is closing its 65th season with a run of the Tony Award-nominated Sister Act. Based on the hit film, the raucous, rebellious and religious-adjacent musical follows Deloris Van Cartier, a Philly-based singer working to make it in the club circuit and who witnesses her seedy boyfriend, Curtis, kill a man.
While Deloris waits for trial where she’s a key witness, the police hide her away in a local convent, where she befriends the resident nuns and slowly takes the choir from drab to fab. Their now-incredible choral performances get so much media attention, Curtis sees them on the news. With a plot to snuff out Deloris before she can testify, the group of nuns have to find a way to save Deloris and the convent.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
Packed with hilarious bits, campy performances and incredible arias, Skylight’s Sister Act will certainly be in the running for my favorite local production of the year. Here are seven reasons I can’t stop raving about it:
1. Zingy One-Liners
You don’t need a background in Catholicism to appreciate the convent humor in Sister Act, but it doesn’t hurt. Masterfully delivered with impeccable timing, the hilarious zingers throughout the play keep the otherwise grim plot fresh and entertaining.
Many of the jokes are between Mother Superior (Janet Metz) and Deloris (Mona Swain), including a handful about hell (“Is there a smoking section?” “Yes dear, and you’re headed for it.”), Deloris’ appearance and the culture clash between her and the nuns (“I put the ‘sis’ back in Genesis!”) and a variety of other topics. Sister Act’s one-liners are laugh-out-loud creative and impeccably delivered by the cast.
2. Holy Solos!
After Mother Superior’s knockout solo of the emotional “Haven’t Got a Prayer,” I knew this show was going to be something special. Act I had already seen a hilarious solo performance of “I Could Be That Guy” by Eddie (Dennis Lewis) – more on that below – and Act II had five additional solos to add. These nuns can sing!
Sister Mary Roberts (Hope Riesterer) gave us a symphonious double performance of “The Life I Never Led,” completing her character story arc. Deloris’ “Sister Act” solo was the cherry on top of her several incredible performances. Curtis’ reprisal of “When I Find My Baby,” was eerie and effective. Each solo was divine.
3. Fabulous Ensemble
The big hitters – Deloris, Mother Superior and Sister Mary Robert – aren’t the only angelic voices in the choir. The entire ensemble gave Broadway-worthy performances. All the ensemble songs are extraordinary (“Sunday Morning Fever” is a personal favorite), but it isn’t just their singing that make these scenes memorable.
The blocking, facial expressions, emoting and choreography add so much to their performances. We can also thank director Molly Rhode, choreographer Alexis J. Roston and music director Alissa Rhode for their work here. It’s so evident that every last detail was fleshed out.
4. Best Villains Ever
Have you ever looked at the typical mob villains in a movie or show and just wanted … more? The Sister Act villains deliver. Curtis’ goons TJ (Rashard “Rai” Hudson), Joey (Miss Kyle Blair) and Pablo (Tomás Dominguez) brought a campy, gender-bendy, full-out entertaining performance throughout the show.
They brought down the house during “Lady in the Long Black Dress,” when each goon sings about how they would seduce a nun (as a way to get in the convent to kill Deloris, of course) and they danced, sang and strutted their hearts out.
5. Mona Swain
It’s hard to be a stand-out lead when there’s such a strong ensemble, but Mona Swain makes it happen. Yes, Swain has the vocal chops, and she also puts her own spin on the character. She gave a dynamic, comedic, perfectly timed performance every time she set foot on stage.
Her take on the Deloris character reminded me of the comedy stylings of America’s Sweetheart, Keke Palmer. I could picture Swain’s Deloris on stage, accepting an award, and singing the riff of “Defying Gravity”— she’s just that charming. Swain is a true performer with an already sizable following, and I predict she is going to go very far in her career.
6. Stage Shenanigans
Purposeful armpit sweat, a double-decker set, a rapping nun and so many other entertaining shenanigans graced the stage during Sister Act. The play’s zany antics was a true work of entertainment, keeping the audience engaged at every moment.
7. Double Tear-Away Costume Reveal
Dennis Lewis, who plays cop Eddie (Deloris’ love interest), gave a stellar performance with his solo in Act I. During “I Could Be That Guy,” there was a must-see double tear-away costume reveal that wowed the audience. Mid-song, his police uniform was ripped off to reveal a glamorous sequined suit. Unbelievably, after a few bars rocking the new suit, it is then ripped off to reveal another police uniform. A stellar stunt!
Sister Act runs through April 27 at the Skylight Music Theatre. You can purchase tickets online or at the box office.
