REVIEW: Countryside’s “Sister Act” a Joyous, Divine Revelation
Girl power is the theme this summer at Countryside Community Theatre at North Scott High School’s Fine Arts Auditorium in Eldridge.
The first production in the two-show season is the delightful, relentlessly entertaining and inspirational “Sister Act,” the popular 2009 Alan Menken musical based on the hit 1992 film starring Whoopi Goldberg. Countryside has a cornucopia of capable women in the cast and crew, who bring the silly, but deeply satisfying story to blazing life.
North Scott alum Harmoni Eiland (an apt first name for her musical talents) absolutely raises the roof and brings down the house as Deloris Van Cartier, a soulful and passionate singer in Philadelphia. Set in 1978 (at the height of the disco era), “Sister Act” introduces us to her auditioning to perform at her gangster boyfriend’s nightclub, and Eiland is terrific in the two openers, “Take Me to Heaven” and “Fabulous, Baby!” (backed up by Jenni Colbert and Lauren Casillas), showcasing resilience, confidence and defiance.
“Sister Act’ features (L-R) Tyler Giglio, Anthony Dexter, Jerod Samuelson, Mark Meyer, and Hunter Haller.
Deloris believes that Curtis (the story’s slimy bad guy, played by Jerod Samuelson) is going to introduce her to a big producer, but is upset when he tells her she’s not ready. Deloris decides to break up with him, but when she goes to find him she accidentally sees him kill one of his four cronies (Ernie, played by Mark Meyer, who returns later as a police officer). Deloris runs to the police, who want to protect her, putting her in hiding at a convent until Curtis is brought to trial.
It’s the classic “fish out of water” story – the sassy, profane Deloris gets into a black habit (under the guise of Sister Mary Clarence, all the nuns are Sister “Mary something”) in the midst of the sacred, modest and devout nuns, who have taken a vow of poverty. Of course, Deloris feels as though it will be a prison sentence for a month, but she soon admires the acoustics of the church, which is about to be sacrificed on the altar of an impending sale.
Antonio Martinez and Harmoni Eiland
One clash of “Sister Act” contrasts the loud, world-weary Deloris with the tradition-bound, immovable Mother Superior (an excellent Yvonne Siddique), who reveals her world in “Here Within These Walls,” and the two strong-willed women chafe against each other for most of the show. Once Deloris is introduced to the struggling, tone-challenged choir at the convent, everything changes and she finds new purpose, giving her cohorts new musical direction.
Curtis (with his rough, fairly hapless buddies played by Tyler Giglio, Anthony B. Dexter and Hunter Haller) sings of ruthlessly hunting down Deloris, in “When I Find My Baby.” It’s a vengeful murderous song, beguilingly set to a mellow ‘70s rock groove, and it’s got some clever internal rhymes (lyrics are by Glenn Slater).
Yvonne Siddique and Harmoni Eiland
One of the heroes of the story is the cop Eddie, endearingly played by Antonio Martinez, who falls for Deloris. His Act I highlight is “I Could Be That Guy,” an intoxicating, bluesy ballad where he pines dreamily for his love, and wishes he could be a “turner of heads.” While Martinez has a wobbly, uncertain singing voice, it’s perfectly fitting for the character, who’s nervous and unsure, and talks himself up over the course of the number, which has some quick, surprising costume changes.
The unreality of the fun show is reflected in Deloris’ choir rehearsal with the nuns, where they don’t have any sheet music or books (even though there’s a line asking them to put their books down), and they all suddenly find their heavenly voices (in “Raise Your Voice”). The nun choir in “Take Me to Heaven” (a callback to the top of the show) is exhilarating.
That’s all in just the first half of the show, and the second half builds to a dramatic climax, when Deloris has to reveal her secret and has a “come to Jesus” moment with Mother Superior. Siddique positively shines in the heartfelt “I Haven’t Got a Prayer,” and Lonnie Behnke is unpretentious and relatable as the monsignor who sees the great difference Deloris has made for the success of the church, and revels in the coming performance of the Nunsemble for a visit by Pope Paul VI.
Harmoni Eiland and the “Nunsemble”
Another nun that Deloris makes a big difference for is Mary Robert, a young novice wonderfully played by Haley Tromblee. Her “The Life I Never Led” is an Act II showstopper – tender, confessing her own truth, working up the courage to live her own life, a brave and glorious declaration of her independence.
In their quest to stop Deloris, the bad guys dress up as nuns and infiltrate the convent, as hilarity ensues. Two-thirds of the way through the second act, “Sister Act” seems to drag unnecessarily, but it’s consistently joyful and gentle, showing how people from different backgrounds can find common ground, and work together in literal harmony.
Director Courtney Cooper wrote as much in her program notes, illuminating how theater shows the same. “There is something sparkling and ethereal that occurs when a cast and crew come together and collaborate to make live art happen,” she said. While “Sister Act” is on the surface a “fun, familiar romp with upbeat music and classic comedy, it’s also a reflection of the theatrical process,” her note says.
The Nunsemble (in no particular order): Jen Lineback, Virginia Kelly, Maggie Kelly, Ticia Balsar, Katharine Mulfinger, Sophia Boldt, Andrea LaPage, Amy Brown Gaghagen, Katie Holsen, Tammy Sandercock, Bonita Howes
“We put this production together to emphasize strong, female characters supporting and holding each other up,” Cooper wrote. “In the background, we built a team that also supports and holds each other high – and without each one of them we wouldn’t be able to make this happen.”
Among the talented, devoted crew that put the show together are music director Emily Martyka (who replaced former music director Jeremy Weinstein, who recently moved to Chicago), choreographer Emma Logas, costume designers Sue Boedeker and Becky Esbaum and lighting designer Hope Harrison.
Many of the costumes are literally dazzling, such as the sparkly outfits worn by the nuns, especially the final silver and blue ensembles at the exultant climax at show’s end. George Behnke leads a very solid pit orchestra.
It would truly be a sin to miss this “Sister Act” (“Hairspray” is the next Countryside show, opening in late July). You have four more chances – performances will continue at 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, plus Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20, available HERE.
Haley Tromblee is Sister Mary Robert in “Sister Act.”
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