NCT's Star-Studded Sister Act Is Tons of Fun

Like many musicals these days, Sister Act got its start as a film. Debuting in 1992 and starring the indomitable Whoopi Goldberg, the film was a smash hit. Audiences loved its star, its humor, and the familiar-but-different fish-out-of-water quality. Thus, it should come as no surprise that North Carolina Theatre's presentation of the 2009 West End and 2011 Broadway musical version of Sister Act, onstage now in Raleigh Memorial Auditorium, under the direction and choreographic genius of Robert Hartwell, is every bit as charming ... if not more so.

The story starts by introducing hard-living Deloris Van Cartier (Aisha Jackson). Early on, she's established as a character the audience wants to root for. Jackson portrays her as spunky, surprisingly sweet, and someone who, in spite of her challenges in life, believes in herself. This quality, paired with Jackson's endearing delivery, draws viewers in instantly. From there, the simple story is quickly and clearly set thanks to effective dialogue.

Viewers learn that Deloris has a history with nuns and Catholic school, much to her chagrin, and that she has a penchant for bad men. They also watch as she witnesses her scummy boyfriend, Curtis Jackson (Joel Ashur) murder an informant. She then gets whisked away by lovable cop Eddie Souther (Nick Rashad Burroughs) to a strict-but-struggling convent that reluctantly agrees to take her in. Yes, it's a silly plot; but it's so much fun and done so well that viewers believe (and enjoy) every moment.

The show stars (from left) Jordan Clifton as Joey, Michael Schimmele as Pablo, and Sai Graham as TJ (photo by Curtis Brown Photography)

As the plot progresses, it becomes overwhelmingly obvious that NCT has spared no expense in bringing this story to life. Jeff Hendry's costumes, aside from the standard nun attire, feature fun pops of color to match the visual appeal of Adam Koch's incredible set. New scenes appear like magic as one backdrop seamlessly fades into the next, and Robert Hartwell's punchy, eye-catching choreography pervades every musical number.

To top it all off, the performances are absolutely incredible. Aisha Jackson more than earns her leading role with her powerful pipes and enduring charm; but her supporting cast is just as impressive. In fact, numbers such as "It's Good to Be a Nun" are practically engineered to give everyone a chance to shine; and this talented cast certainly capitalizes on the opportunity. Another standout number is the surprisingly dark "When I Find My Baby." The song's soothing, crooning tones and Hartwell's boy-band choreo belie the threatening lyrics; and Joel Ashur performs it completely straight, which only serves to make it more darkly humorous.

Nick Rashad Burroughs (center) stars as Eddie Souther in Sister Act at the North Carolina Theatre (photo by Curtis Brown Photography)

Another stellar performance comes from LaVon Fisher-Wilson, who portrays the prickly-but-kindhearted Mother Superior. Her deep voice and surly facial expressions help to create a memorable, winning character. Similarly, local talent Casey Wortham steals every scene in her role as Sister Mary Robert, a young postulant who learns a great deal from Deloris. Her rendition of "The Life I Never Led" is enchanting from start to finish. Then, of course, there's Ray Dooley as Monsignor O'Hara. With his signature shrugs and put-upon comedic style, he arguably garnered the majority of the laughs on opening night Tuesday, Oct. 11th.

Sister Act may feature a fluffy, feel-good story; but, honestly, couldn't everyone use a little bit more of that right now? Plus, it's packed with talent, and features some nice feminist undertones that raise it from silly to thoughtful. All in all, it's a great way to spend an October evening and to check out the vast expanse of talent our state has to offer.

Tickets can be purchased here.

Sister Act at the North Carolina Theatre stars Aisha Jackson (center) as Deloris Van Cartier (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. Robert O'Connell's Review. Susie Potter's Triangle Arts Review Review.

WHAT: Triangle Review is a FREE weekly e-mail performing-arts and film newsletter, edited and published by Robert W. McDowell since April 2001.

TO SUBSCRIBE: To start your FREE subscription today, sign up in the subscription box at the beginning of this e-mail; or e-mail RobertM748@aol.com and type SUBSCRIBE-TR in the Subject: line. TO UNSUBSCRIBE: E-mail RobertM748@aol.com and type UNSUBSCRIBE-TR in the Subject: line.

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? E-mail all questions, comments, and Letters to the Editor to RobertM748@aol.com. For Letters to the Editor, please include a daytime telephone number in your e-mail.

COPYRIGHT: Editorial content in all formats © 2022 Triangle Review and the author of each article. Reproduction in any form without authorization of Triangle Review and the respective authors is prohibited. Triangle Review maintains an archive of past issues. To request copies of past articles and/or issues, e-mail RobertM748@aol.com.