Sister Act

Comedy for your soul!

Bernard Jay, Executive Producer for Joburg Theatre’s Sister Act – the biggest musical in Joburg this year – is proud to announce the stellar South African cast of the country’s première production of the feel-amazing musical comedy.

Sister Act will open on the stage of The Mandela at Joburg Theatre on July 10th and runs until August 16th 2015.

Leading the cast will be Candida Mosoma as disco diva Deloris Van Cartier, the role made famous by Whoopi Goldberg in the top grossing 1992 movie comedy of the same name.

“The role of Deloris Van Cartier in Sister Act is – arguably – the flashiest and most challenging written for a black female in recent musical theatre history,” says Bernard Jay.  “It’s a star role for a star personality with star attitude.  When Candida Mosoma walked into the audition room and started being Deloris from the first moment, we all knew we had found our star.”

Upon hearing the news of her lead casting, Mosoma excitingly stated; “It’s a little daunting stepping into Whoopi Goldberg’s shoes, but what an opportunity! I intend to grab it with both hands and can’t wait to make the role my own.”

This brand new ‘non-replica’ production of the musical Sister Act will be directed by Janice Honeyman, with musical direction by Rowan Bakker, choreography by Nicol Sheraton, production design by Declan Randall, costume design by Sarah Roberts and sound design by Trevor Peters.

Joining Candida Mosoma, South African stage star Kate Normington will play Mother Superior (legendarily portrayed by Maggie Smith in the movie) and Keith Smith will play the pivotal role of Monsignor O’Hara.

Also cast are (in alphabetical order) Bjorn Blignaut, Caroline Borole, Vanessa Brierley, Caitlin Clerk, Anne-Marie Clulow, Elizca Coetzer, Judy Ditchfield, Toni Jean Erasmus, Trudy Fredericks, Germandt Geldenhuys, Zane Gillion, Clive Gilson, Themba January, Dolly Louw, Mervin Marvey, Noni Mkhonto, Phumi Mncayi, Dean Roberts, Brenda Sakellarides, Andrea Shine, Shelly Simon, Nqobile Sipamla, Lebo Toko, Carmen Tromp, L J Urbani, Natasha Van Der Merwe and Zano.

Sister Act in Joburg will be a creative collaboration and celebration of South African talent. Multi-award-winning South African director and writer Janice Honeyman is on board to direct.  “No-one in South Africa has proven herself to be in finer creative control of ‘non-replica’ mega-musical productions than Janice.  No-one knows the magic possibilities of The Mandela stage like Janice,” says Bernard Jay.  “I’m just so thrilled that she loves the show too and said yes!”

Bernard Jay produces Sister Act for Joburg Theatre, with Simon James and Claire Pacariz as associate producers.  Timothy Le Roux will serve as resident director.

The wittilly infectious musical is written by Cheri and Bill Steinkellner, with additional book material by Douglas Carter Beane, lyrics by Glenn Slater and music by Oscar and Tony winning composer Alan Menken (Newsies, Beauty and the Beast, Little Shop of Horrors, etc).

The stage production premièred at the Pasadena Playhouse in California in 2006 and was produced by Whoopi Goldberg and Stage Entertainment in London in 2009 – then on Broadway in 2011.  The musical was nominated for four Olivier Awards in London, including Best New Musical, and five Tony Awards in New York, including Best Musical.

When disco diva Deloris Van Cartier witnesses a murder, she is put in protective custody in one place the cops are sure she won’t be found: a convent!  Disguised as a nun, she finds herself at odds with both the rigid lifestyle and uptight Mother Superior.  Using her unique disco moves and singing talent to inspire the choir, Deloris breathes new life into the church and community but in doing so, blows her cover.  Soon, the gang is giving chase only to find them up against Deloris and the power of her newly found sisterhood.

Filled with powerful gospel music, outrageous dancing and a truly moving story, Sister Act leaves audiences breathless.  A sparkling tribute to the universal power of friendship, Sister Act is reason to rejoice!

The New York Times said of Sister Act: “When the wimples start quivering, the pinched mouths break into sunbeam smiles, and the nuns start rocking to raise the Gothic rafters, all’s right in the kingdom of musical comedy.”

The UK Telegraph said: “The cheers and standing ovation at the end were both genuine and deserved.  The book is strong, funny and touching.  The disco-inspired score by Disney favourite Alan Menken is a cracker.  Frankly, what’s not to like, especially when you’ve got a chorus line of jiving nuns singing their hearts out ecstatically?”

Sister Act is brought to South Africa by the City of Joburg in association with MNet and is on The Mandela stage at Joburg Theatre from July 10th to August 16th.

The show will run from Tuesdays to Fridays at 8pm, Saturday at 3pm and 8pm and Sunday at 2pm.

Tickets range from R200 – R350 and are exclusively available from www.joburgtheatre.com or by calling 0861 670 670.