Aisha Jackson Sparkles as a Nun on the Run
in NCT's Joyous Production of Sister Act

Sister Act at NCT stars Aisha Jackson (center) as nun-on-the-run Deloris Van Cartier (photo by Curtis Brown Photography)

The North Carolina Theatre's Oct. 11-16 presentation of Sister Act is the perfect opportunity to get back into musical theater. I highly recommend that you try to get to the Raleigh Memorial Auditorium in the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts to see Sister Act. You won't be disappointed. It is a solid production that continues to get better with every scene.

Directed and choreographed for NCT by Robert Hartwell, Sister Act is the story of Deloris Van Cartier (played at NCT by Aisha Jackson), a somewhat sinful woman who witnesses a crime and finds herself in danger by the hand of her gangster boyfriend (Joel Ashur as Curtis Jackson). A friend on the police force (Nick Rashad Burroughs as Eddie Souther) hides her in a convent until she can testify at trial.

Aisha Jackson stars as Deloris Van Cartier in NCT's production of Sister Act stars (photo by Curtis Brown Photography)

Much of the story deals with Deloris' fish-out-of-water relationship with the nuns and, particularly, the staid and strict Mother Superior (LaVon Fisher-Wilson). There is plenty of sharing and learning and joyous singing along the way.

The current version of Sister Act is a great example of what works in musical theater. The dialogue is funny, snappy, and has a good flow of a story. The songs, while not necessarily memorable tunes, have sharp lyrics that enhance the action. Additionally, there are several ensemble numbers that are delightfully staged and delivered. If you are looking for a show to give someone a taste of the musical-theater experience, especially young people, you couldn't do much better than Sister Act.

The lead roles are Deloris Van Cartier, played by Aisha Jackson, and the Mother Superior, played by LaVon Fisher-Wilson. Both are great in both voice and comedic delivery, but Jackson brought an extra level when singing. Another standout was Nick Rashad Burroughs as "Sweaty Eddie," the cop.

Aisha Jackson (center) stars as Deloris Van Cartier in Sister Act at NCT (photo by Curtis Brown Photography)

The first quarter of the show was a little sedate as the characters are being developed and the story is set up. However, when Deloris enters the convent and meets the Mother Superior, sparks fly and the pace quickens. And once Deloris -- now Sister Mary Clarence -- meets the church choir filled with the other nuns, the joy is nonstop.

I must commend musical director/conductor Edward G. Robinson as many of the songs are well beyond ensemble pieces, but full choral works. Also, costumer Iris Ponce Lloyd did a fabulous job on the look of the cast.

The North Carolina Theatre's rendition of Sister Act stars LaVon Fisher-Wilson as Mother Superior (photo by Curtis Brown Photography)

Sister Act has had an unusual history for a show. It started out in 1992 as a film designed for Bette Midler and then eventually made starring Whoopi Goldberg. The film was not exactly a musical, in that it contained no original songs. Still, adapted songs and ensemble singing were prominent.

The story was then rewritten with a new book by Bill and Cheri Steinkellner, with an added a score by Alan Menken and lyrics by Glenn Slater. There were more changes coming. An updated book by Douglas Carter Beane's was introduced before the show's Broadway debut.

Please take the whole family to see this delightful show. Also, if you do decide to attend, get to your seats early. Three young performers from the North Carolina Theatre Conservatory's Overture Singers perform half-a-dozen vocal numbers.

Aisha Jackson (center) stars as Deloris Van Cartier in Sister Act at the North Carolina Theatre (photo by Curtis Brown Photography)

Alan Menken, Glenn Slater, Bill and Cheri Steinkellner, and Douglas Carter Beane's SISTER ACT (In Person at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 12-16), directed and choreographed by Robert Hartwell, with music direction by Edward G. Robinson, and starring Aisha Jackson as Deloris Van Cartier, Lavon Fisher-Wilson as Mother Superior, Nick Rashad Burroughs as Eddie Souther, Ray Dooley as Monsignor O'Hara, Sai Graham as TJ, Joel Ashur as Curtis Jackson, Jordan Clifton as Joey, Michael Schimmele as Pablo, Timothy Malboeuf as Ernie, Chanda Branch as Michelle, LaDonna Burns as Sister Mary Lazarus, Erin Wilson as Sister Mary Patrick, Anne Scaramuzzo as Sister Mary Martin-of Tours, Lia Holman as Tina, Casey Wortham as Sister Mary Robert, and Tanesha Gary as Sister Mary Theresa, plus former North Carolina Theatre Conservatory students Charlie Byrd and Kylie Robinson as Nuns and part of the Ensemble, which also includes Lydia Kinton Hall, Kate McMillan, Alejandra Parrilla, Blaire Thompson, Gerard M Williams, and Carlita Victoria (North Carolina Theatre in Raleigh Memorial Auditorium in the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts in Raleigh). DIGITAL PLAYBILL: https://nctheatre.com/sites/nct/files/2022_SisterAct_web.pdf. VIDEOS: https://www.youtube.com/user/nctheatre. NCT NEWS RELEASE: https://nctheatre.com/blog/meet-cast-sister-act. 2022-23 SEASON: https://nctheatre.com/show-season/202021-season. THE PRESENTER: https://nctheatre.com/, https://www.facebook.com/nctheatre, https://www.instagram.com/nctheatre/, https://twitter.com/nctheatre, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Carolina_Theatre, and https://www.youtube.com/user/nctheatre. THE VENUE: https://www.dukeenergycenterraleigh.com/venues, https://www.facebook.com/DECRaleigh, https://www.instagram.com/DECRaleigh/, https://twitter.com/DECRaleigh, and https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUCPC9naUI3G8vHw0K8Qnew. DIRECTIONS/PARKING: https://www.dukeenergycenterraleigh.com/getting-duke-energy-center. KNOW-BEFORE-YOU-GO INFORMATION: https://www.dukeenergycenterraleigh.com/know-before-you-go-information. THE MUSICAL: https://www.mtishows.com/sister-act, https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-show/sister-act-488902, and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sister_Act_(musical). NOTE: Arts Access, Inc. of Raleigh will audio-describe the show's 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15th, performance. TICKETS: $35 and up, plus taxes and fees. Click here to buy tickets. GROUP RATES (10+ tickets): 919-831-6941 or groups@nctheatre.com. INFORMATION: 919-831-6941 or boxoffice@nctheatre.com. DONATE TO: North Carolina Theatre. Susie Potter's Review.

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