Sister Act First Preview — Page 2

Thanks for the info, MB. What is Vicki's new solo called?
If anybody gets a chance, I would love to see a songlist.

Just got back and I'll just post a few random thoughts. Having heard the reviews from London, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed myself! Patina is fantastic, and will get much praise for her performance! Other than that, my favorite part was the church set which everyone around me literally said "wow" out loud when it came in. The second act starts off real slow and I think the three guys song about how to treat a lady needs to go. Didn't particularly care for Victoria Clark's character or any of her songs. Also underwhelmed by Chester Gregory who I loved in Dreamgirls recently. Overall, I had a blast and am glad I went!

ETA: I was comped so that may have effected my opinion.

Updated On: 3/24/11 at 11:24 PM

I agree and think both songs for Joey, Pablo and TJ should be cut. I also think the second act song for Sister Msry Robert ( AKA Sister Kerry Butler) should also be tossed- just slows down the show too much.

I didn't like Eddies songs either( even with the great costume reveal) truly we don't care about that character as sort of a half hearted love interest for Deloris.

Just back also and I agree with Michael Bennett mostly. The show really gets going with Deloris and the nuns, for me it was a little slow opening until we get there about 2/3 the way through act one. Everyone did seem a tad tentative at the beginning but that may just be first performance jitters. Miller is an easy Tony nomination and the show should get a Best Musical nod also.

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LOL at "Sister Mary Robert (AKA Sister Kerry Butler)" That is exactly what I thought. As a matter of fact I saw "Catch Me.." on Tuesday and I though that was the same song Butler sang in the second act. Both songs unmemorable, just a solo to give them something to do.

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Saw it tonight and have some scattered thoughts. First off they have curtained off half of the mezz, and the Broadway looks like the Barrymore or something.

I've listened to the London cast recording quite a bit, but never saw the show there so I can only judge changes through that. There is a fair amount of dialogue on the CD and almost none of it exists as is in the show.

Biggest disappointment is they cut Do The Sacred Mass!! I was pretty downbeat about that. They still have a scene in the bar, but it's totally boring and pointless without the song. The show is also in dire need of some energy earlier in the first act and this song would have done the trick. I hope they consider popping it back in.

Basically when it hits Raise You Voice the show bursts alive. Too bad it takes so long to get to that point. The show is (obviously) best when focused on Patina and the nuns. All the songs for the guys are fine, but nothing special and distract from the real fun of the show. The romance with Patina and Chester Gregory seems forced and unnecessary.

Patina is giving a total star performance and I think she will have fairly smooth sailing accepting that Tony in June. So far I don't think anyone has out-performed her, but I guess we should wait for Donna Murphy.

I did enjoy myself and think the show is a fun time. With a few trims (and the reintroduction of Sacred Mass please) I think it could have a healthy run.

Assuming the five front runners for Best Musical will be Scottsboro, Book of Mormon, Priscilla, Catch Me if You Can and Sister Act, I think it will be interesting to see which one doesn't make the cut. Having now seen all five I think/hope Scottsboro, Mormon, Sister Act all make it and the last spot can be fought for by the other two.

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Updated On: 3/25/11 at 12:17 AM

No and No. The reprise was cut and the show opens with Take Me To Heaven...no opening notes. (this may all change though)

Thanks, guys!

Not to be a pest, but are the opening measures the same as the cast recording with Mother Superior's prayer?

No...it goes right into Take Me To Heaven.

I have really grown to love the Sister Act recording and am really disappointed by news of these changes. 'How I Got the Calling' is one of the highlights I think. I also loved how it opens with Mother Superior saying the prayer and then segueing into the burst of energy with the club act 'Take Me to Heaven'. This was the show I was most looking forward to seeing in June but now The Book of Mormon is starting to take that place.
May I ask, does it start with Delores auditioning and then change into the club act half way?
Thanks

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bretty- no it does not transition to the club act. It is simply her auditioning for Curtis. He even cuts off right before her final big note to say, "I've heard enough," causing the song to have no applause.

Slight Spoiler- He doesn't even give her the gig! This doesn't make sense because A) She's really good and B) She's his mistress at the club! What's the point of having a singing mistress at your club if you're not going to give her the job??

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bwayphreak234: I wouldn't necessarily say the show was BETTER than London overall - some parts were improved but some good things were lost too IMHO.

As far as I recall the show curtain was red velvet with yellow trim - nothing much to get excited about at this stage.

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Do the Nuns still sing before they learn how to?

When I saw it in London, one of the things I didn't understand was how at the top of the show it is established that the Nuns are atrocious at singing. Then, all of a sudden, during HOW I GOT THE CALLING they can harmonize, sing on pitch and belt out high notes in unison. Only to be followed by the Nuns mysteriously forgetting how to sing at the beginning of the RAISE YOUR VOICE scene.

It makes no sense for the audience to hear them singing brilliantly before they actually learn how to sing. Even the Von Trapp children had to go through their DO RE MI lessons before they could put over EDELWEISS.

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Updated On: 3/25/11 at 01:18 AM