Seabury Hall to perform “Sister Act” on multiple dates in November
Students at Seabury Hall will perform the Broadway musical “Sister Act,” based on the 1992 blockbuster film starring Whoopi Goldberg, with performances running Nov. 15-17 and 22-24.
The show will be at the Seabury Hall ʻAʻaliʻikūhonua Creative Arts Center. Performances on Nov. 15 and 16 and Nov. 22 and 23 will be at 7 p.m.. The Sunday shows on Nov. 17 and Nov. 24 will begin at 3 p.m.
The story follows a wannabe disco queen who stumbles into a gangland hit, and witness protection puts her in a nunnery.
“I love this show,” said director and choreographer David Ward in a news release. “It’s a funny, upbeat show with heart. The characters are lovable, the songs are catchy and the story is clever. It’s a fast-paced ride that celebrates the power of sisterhood.”
In 1977 Philadelphia, wannabe lounge singer Deloris Van Cartier (Gigi Cabanting and Leianna Santos) witnesses a murder by her gangster boyfriend (Turner Alston) and his thugs (Ethan Berry, Richard Hernandez-Bustos, Logan Ortogero, Wolf Pell and Coaster Vine).
The detective (Wolf Pell and Coaster Vines) places her in a nunnery run by Mother Superior (Catherine Hampe and Ruby Mackie) and her Monsignor (Weston Otterson).
In the madcap romp that ensues, while Deloris loosens up the nuns (featuring Nikki Kays, Aviva Meisel, Rylee Stout and Aurora Zoetewey) and tightens up their singing, the nuns forge a bond with Deloris that allows each to see the strength, love and humanity in the other.
Ward is working with a cast of 32 students in the funk, soul and disco moves of his youth.
“Having grown up in the 1970s, this whole era was a big part of my young life,” he said. “It’s super fun to revisit the height of the disco age through the music and dance in this musical.”
Vocal director Julia Golding is coaching the singers in the style and dynamics of the period.
“I’m so excited by the level of talented voices we have in this cast — a fabulous ensemble with incredible leads,” she said. “Together we are making a joyful noise.”
Costume designers Andre Morissette and Vanessa Cerrito are providing costumes authentic to the time period. Todd Van Amburgh designs the sets and lighting.
Tickets are available at seaburyhall.org/arts. Adult tickets are $18, kūpuna $15, student $10 and children 4 and under are free.