Sister Act Review- Page 2

[theatrespaz]

Posted: 2/16/07 at 10:29am

I have to say I saw this right before it ended it's extended run in Pasadena and I loved it. There were some problems, but to me nothing that couldn't easily be fixed. Drop a couple numbers, recast Mother Superior and clean up the book a little. The songs were infectious and the sold-out crowd LOVED it. I was also surprised at how much I loved Dawnn Lewis, she was great. It would be a nice, fun addition to Broadway!

[LollyNYC]

Posted: 2/16/07 at 10:35am

I saw this when I was in Atlanta last weekend. I had the same thoughts...I thought the lyrics were clever for the most part. The music went back and forth from genuine showtune to 70s disco which just doesn't work. I didn't like the woman who played Delores at ALL...she sang purdy but her acting was horrendous. There were moments when I just felt awkward because there should have been laughter but there was silence. Beth Malone was great and had a gorgeous voice. The other two charactery nuns (I can't remember names...come on, it was a week ago...but the bigger one and the old one with the glasses, Mary Patrick and Mary Lazarus??) were great. Hilarious. The bigger one (Mary Patrick?) was like a breath of fresh air. I thought the Mother Superior wasn't too great...none of the guys really stood out to me, the dude that played her love interest was great but no one else really did it for me and the pimp? Curtis? Just annoyed me a lot.

As far as songs go, the only ones that stood out were Beth Malone's power ballad in act 2, the 'Raise Your Voice' number when the nuns learn how to sing, and one of the other nun songs, when they're bringing people into the church. That was cute. It reminded me a lot of 'Altar Boyz'. None of Delores' songs really stood out at all, I can't remember a single one. Oh, and the songs where the nuns all kind of make their introductions and talk about their callings...that was hilarious!!

I don't know...I don't think it's quite ready for even a pre-Broadway tryout or anything...I wasn't feeling it. I was kind of bored through most of Act 1. Act 2 picked up for me but then the end was SUPER cheesy...and the 'Mirrorball' song was like...oy vey.

Also, why did they set this in the 70s...yet make a lot of 80s references???

[NYC4Life]

Posted: 2/16/07 at 12:08pm

"I didn't like the woman who played Delores at ALL...she sang purdy but her acting was horrendous"

Was it the script or was she REALLY bad? I think Lewis is a good actress and enjoy watching her.

[phantomCA26]

Posted: 2/16/07 at 1:22pm

Sister Act is incredible and will be a huge Broadway hit. I'd see this over, what seems to be everyones fave, Wicked anytime.

[MinorAdjustments]

Posted: 2/16/07 at 5:42pm

It would be unfair to say that Dawnn Lewis was "bad" in Sister Act. She sings, acts and moves competently, and she's not unappealing. It's just that she has no star quality, and that's something required in this role. Dawnn Lewis is skilled, but what she lacks cannot be learned or taught. You either have it, or you don't. And she doesn't. But she works hard and does well enough in the show to make it clear that she is not the problem with the show. The writing, directing and design are the show's biggest problems. Even a superstar would not be able to make the show good just by appearing in it.

[LollyNYC]

Posted: 2/20/07 at 12:41am

She was a great singer...but didn't carry the show the way Whoopi OWNED the movie. Maybe it was the script, but I think it was her. It was like watching a high school kid doing a cold read for the first time. I'm sure she's a great performer but if the show ever comes to Broadway (after, hopefully, a GREAT deal of work...) I hope they go with someone with more stage presence. Because she had none. With a role like that you need someone who the audience can follow and fall in love with and be moved by, and I was just kinda bored when she was onstage. She didn't do much for me at all.

And PhantomCA26...I'm not one of the people who enjoys Wicked at all, in fact, I dislike it a great deal and think they turned what could be an amazing story into a spectacular mess. But even THAT is better and more entertaining than Sister Act. I like shows that pull me in immediately. With Sister Act, I didn't really become involved or care about the story until nearly the end of the first act...FAR too long. A GOOD show hooks you from the start and keeps you moved the entire time. Sister Act had none of that. Did it have potential? Yes. But could it go to Broadway now and be a hit? No way. They'd have to do a MAJOR rewrite and clean SO much of it before I'd be willing to sit through it again.

[phantomCA26]

Posted: 2/20/07 at 12:46am

If you want to check out some pics from the show, go to:
www.collages.net

Type in username: Sister Act
Password: 4016

[mallardo]

Posted: 2/20/07 at 7:53am

I think Dawnn Lewis IS a problem and if an actress with real charisma were in the role there would be many fewer negative comments about the show. But even as is, I think it has enough. I think it is a hit-to-be.

[gvendo2005]

Posted: 2/20/07 at 12:18pm

Oy...again with my two cents:

People who liked the movie are the main audience for the show. Right? Right.

They come to the show, and they don't see an accurate representation of the film, which is what they REALLY came to see. Right? Right.

No offense to Menken and the Steinkellners, but it's time to boot their asses off the show and go back to the film (and Marc Shaiman's absolutely wonderful arrangements of Motown). Maybe some book revisions in tune with Paul Rudnick's original screen draft so the audience doesn't feel cheated out of a LITTLE something different, but that's about it.

And if they really want to sell tickets, bring in Whoopi six weeks a month as Deloris. It'll sure as hell sell tickets.

[phantomCA26]

Posted: 2/24/07 at 11:41pm

I've heard from my cast member friend that the show will not be heading straight to Broadway after Atlanta. The producers need to take some time to decide what the next step will be for the show and the cast has been told no to turn down any offers.

[mallardo]

Posted: 2/25/07 at 4:15am

Sounds like maybe some re-casting coming up.

[dirty rotten guy]

Posted: 2/25/07 at 7:42am

Isn't Jennifer Hudson looking for a Broadway show? This seems like it could be perfect for her. She could create a role, I could see her as a pretty good fit for Delores, and most importantly, with a Oscar win she will deff. have a name that could sell tickets.

[erikaamato]

Posted: 2/25/07 at 10:52am

dirty rotten guy: Well, I'm of the opinion Deloris has to have been "around the block" for the show to work. You have to believe she never made it big as a singer (as opposed to hasn't made it YET), so she's stuck singing in a seedy lounge, etc. She also needs to come off as a bit "world-weary," imho. She really shouldn't be a super-young girl. Late 30's at the youngest.

Updated On: 2/25/07 at 10:52 AM

[PARISinNYC]

Posted: 2/25/07 at 10:56am

I'm seeing it in like three hours so i'll be ready to judge.