Whoopi Goldberg to star in Sister Act The Musical in summer 2020
The iconic role of Deloris Van Cartier made famous by Whoopi Goldberg is about to be brought back to its roots for the brand-new West End musical production of Sister Act. Award-winning actress Whoopi Goldberg officially returns to her role 27 years after the sequel film Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993) was released in cinemas. The musical production will head to London's Eventim Apollo Theatre on 29 July 2020 for a strictly limited summer run lasting just 39 performances.
The show's producers also have another confession to make: Sister Act is set to star BAFTA Award-winning actress Jennifer Saunders as Mother Superior, a role made famous by Dame Maggie Smith in the original 1991 film. Saunders will take on the role following her run as Madame Arcati in Blithe Spirit, which is set to run at the Duke of York's Theatre this spring.
Brenda Edwards, who played Deloris Van Cartier in the UK Tour of Sister Act, will portray the role for Thursday matinee performances.
What is the Sister Act stage musical about?
Sister Act the West End musical is based on the 1992 record-smashing film of the same name that grossed $231.6 million at the box office on a $31-million budget. The musical adaptation serves as a confectionery tribute to the worldwide notion of friendship and tells the comedic story of a washed-up lounge singer who goes by the stage name Deloris Van Cartier.
After Deloris witnesses a brutal murder committed by her mob boss boyfriend, she is swiftly placed under witness protection and hidden in the last place you'd ever find a disco diva – a convent of nuns (the San Franciscan convent Saint Katherine's Parish in the film). There she runs unto Mother Superior, who not only demands that Deloris don the habit to blend in, but also places Deloris under her watchful eye. Things become "blasphemous" when Deloris takes on a leadership role for the convent's choir, which breathes new life into the church's music that quickly becomes the talk of the town. But the convent's newfound fame is certainly at odds with keeping a low profile...
A background of Sister Act the Musical
Sister Act was reworked by Jamie Wilson and Whoopi Goldberg, who made the main character of Deloris much older for the sake of making her more hilarious and irreverent. The upcoming musical revival boasts original music by 8-time Oscar® Award winner and Tony® Award winner Alan Menken (Enchanted, The Little Mermaid, Disney’s Aladdin), eye-popping visuals and designs, and jaw-dropping choreography and dance routines inspired by soul, disco, and Motown. Not only does Sister Act get funny, but it also gets funky. And it's gonna be a fabulous and unforgettable production.
Why see Sister Act The Musical at the Eventim Apollo Theatre?
The revival of Sister Act The Musical starring the legendary Whoopi Goldberg and Jennifer Saunders is guaranteed to be the premier West End theatre event of the summer with tickets for Sister Act subject to high demand. Set to run in the West End for just 9 weeks, you can be sure Sister Act tickets will sell out faster than you can say 'hallelujah'. The sure-fire hit is poised to go down in West End history and break all box office records for the Eventim Apollo, so be sure not to miss it!