Whoopi to play DELORIS in Sister Act London (confirmed - delayed to 2021)- Page 3

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 10/24/19 at 9:55pm

I doubt any sort of transfer, but I wouldn’t be shocked if this was filmed.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 10/24/19 at 10:20pm

GiantsInTheSky2 said: "I doubt any sort of transfer, but I wouldn’t be shocked if this was filmed."

200% this’ll be filmed.  Just like all these recent London productions.  Both Whoopi and Jennifer Saunders (a comic icon in the UK) merit it.   

 

[Tag]

Posted: 10/24/19 at 10:52pm

Today on THE VIEW she said it was for seven weeks. 

It sounded like that was her total time there.  So I'd assume that 7 weeks includes rehearsal & tech.

[juice23]

Posted: 10/25/19 at 12:29am

I just booked my first trip to London for this. I’m so excited!!!

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 10/25/19 at 12:35am

juice23 said: "I just booked my first trip to London for this. I’m so excited!!!"

How exciting! Congrats. I love London. 

[Plannietink08]

Posted: 10/25/19 at 1:19am

It won’t transfer as Whoopi has said this run is exclusively for London - which makes me assume it will indeed be filmed. 

 

I’ve got tickets for the evening of August 22nd - anyone else going then?

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 10/25/19 at 3:14am

I wonder how much of the score will be changed. If they’ll just lower the keys of the existing songs or write all new songs for her. And what songs, if any, will be cut?

[binau]

Posted: 10/25/19 at 3:44am

My understanding is that this production is actually part of a wider tour that will run without her in different cities and also on Thursday matinees. I suspect/hope because of this it will be too challenging to completely rewrite the show, but we can expect a lot of talking instead of singing and keys lowered.

[Plannietink08]

Posted: 10/25/19 at 5:52am

qolbinau said: "My understanding is that this production is actually part of a wider tour that will run without her in different cities and also on Thursday matinees. I suspect/hope because of this it will be too challenging to completely rewrite the show, but we can expect a lot of talking instead of singing and keys lowered."

Yeah, the tour starts in early 2020 with Brenda Edwards then transfers to London in July where Edwards will play the role during Thursday matinees. Not sure if the tour will continue after the London stop

 

[Javi]

Posted: 10/25/19 at 8:30am

Yay! I got tickets to see this at the end of August.

[DAME]

Posted: 10/25/19 at 10:16am

This and Michael Balls Hairspray will be filmed. 

[bdn223]

Posted: 10/25/19 at 12:10pm

It honestly wouldn’t surprise me if Disney Theatrical was partially footing the bill for this in some way. As Disney owns the IP rights to the film via Touchstone, entitling Disney Theatrical to a producing credit for the original production, it does make some sense that they would be involved in some way. I think more then likely Disney will be footing the bill of the filming of the production for Disney+, as it would we a win on multiple levels for them:
1) More content for Disney+ with minimal overhead costs when it comes to development
2) Testing the Sister Act fanbase for a proper 3rd film or a reboot of the franchise
3) Appeasing a major star that works for the company in Whoopi Goldberg who has on numerous occasions said she’s pitched Sister Act 3 to Disney and has been shot down.
3.5) It keeps Whoopi happy and from leaving The View, as she has said in the past, the View is on autopilot mode for her, and she craves to be able to actually act and perform again. As such they have been letting out of her exclusivity contract with ABC more often as of late to pursue acting opportunities. As Sister Act revival not only scratches that itch, but keeps her in house while doing it.
4) Its a UK tour with a stop in London, so the costs will be much lower then it was done in the US, which is why we saw Aladdin’s West End production filmed weeks after it formally closed.

5)The original production opened to “positive” reviews with most of the negativity coming from opening in the shadow of The Book of Mormon and being a basic stage adaptation.  

6) The London engagement  with Whoopi has sold 90% + of its tickets in less a day...so it will clearly be a hit with audiences

Updated On: 10/25/19 at 12:10 PM

[Islander_fan]

Posted: 10/25/19 at 12:48pm

I do recall reading somewhere that they couldn't get the licensing from Motown to use the songs that were in the movie for some reason or another. This has nothing to do with the musical being closed as another poster mentioned. 

Also, there's something I've been curious about regarding Whoopi and this show for awhile. I know that when the original London production was on its last legs, Whoopi came in and played Mother Superior for a little as a way to bump up ticket sales. When the Broadway production was in the same position, why didn't she get asked to reprise her role on Broadway? 

[binau]

Posted: 10/25/19 at 1:13pm

Of course she would have been asked. Whether she was available and willing is another question.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 10/25/19 at 2:09pm

I wonder if she wanted to play Deloris in the musical all along.

[Highland Guy]

Posted: 10/26/19 at 6:11pm

Goldberg and Saunders together.  THAT'S going to be fun!  And I have to miss it.  

 

 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 10/26/19 at 6:44pm

That video says this production with Whoopi is a one-off so I guess that means after these few weeks she won’t be doing it anywhere else.

[fashionguru_23]

Posted: 10/30/19 at 10:54am

I just thought, I wonder if this will look like the original Pasadena Playhouse production in 2006 which had Dawnn lewis of 'A Different World" fame as Deloris. She wasn't exactly Patina Miller's age when they did this show. Maybe they are reverting back on some things.

 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 10/30/19 at 11:02am

Jordan Catalano said: "That video says this production with Whoopi is a one-off so I guess that means after these few weeks she won’t be doing it anywhere else. "

Solely being put together so it can be filmed and released in movie theatres and to document the show.  Whoopi will be settled into the role before the cameras are brought in to film at the end of her run.  

[darreyl102]

Posted: 10/30/19 at 4:29pm

DAME said: "This and Michael Balls Hairspray will be filmed."

Has that been confirmed? I ADORE Hairspray!!

[Tag]

Posted: 11/27/19 at 2:24pm

Just a little glimpse into Whoopi's stage presence and enthusiasm for performing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZCH1G4zOvY

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 11/27/19 at 4:20pm

Tag said: "Just a little glimpse into Whoopi's stage presence and enthusiasm for performing:"

Hopefully she’ll have a little more enthusiasm in Sister Act but the thought did cross my mind that she may plan to just stand there and be adored because she’s Whoopi. I hope that isn’t the case.

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Posted: 11/28/19 at 10:51am

I mean, not for nothing, it was a preview of a Disney On Ice attraction on a surface designed to make simulated ice skating easier, with little time to learn any complicated choreography. I'm pretty sure it's not a representative sample.

A better look might be when she dropped into The Lion King a while back, and had no problem being physical and enthusiastic. (Likewise Forum, which is even longer back but shows what she is capable of when enthusiastic.)

Updated On: 11/28/19 at 10:51 AM

[Dave28282]

Posted: 11/29/19 at 5:17am

I think the movie and the stage show are completely different projects and artforms, which basically have nothing to do with eachother. When I decide to watch the musical, I want a young Deloris, with an excellent singing voice, as that is what makes or breaks the scenes, the intention of the story, the material, the music, the chosen language and the chosen artform and the notes. Basically the way the scenes, the music, the show was written, intended and created and how it was sculpted and cast accordingly.

There are people visiting the show who love the music and the voices as the show itself has a history too and will be presented with this instead. Some people may neigh loudly when they see a celebrity and forget about everything else, but there are also many people who respect the show and are looking for very different things. I think this casting is a bit disrespectful.  

It's like casting Jamie Bell as young Billy in Billy Elliot The Musical in the West End. 2 completely different artforms, generations, scores, music, different languages of storytelling, it is lunacy to me.

 

 

 

[Tag]

Posted: 11/29/19 at 11:14am

A better look might be when she dropped into The Lion King a while back, and had no problem being physical and enthusiastic. (Likewise Forum, which is even longer back but shows what she is capable of when enthusiastic.)

These clip references are either 10 or 22 years old...