Jeannette Bayardelle to Lead Theatre By The Sea's SISTER ACT

Get ready to rejoice! SISTER ACT, the gloriously funny five-time Tony-nominated musical, is taking the stage at Bill Hanney's award winning Theatre By The Sea (TBTS). SISTER ACT will begin Wednesday, August 17, and plays thru Sunday, September 4, 2016. Press night is scheduled for Friday, August 19 at 8p.m.

"I know our audiences will love the infectious joy of Sister Act. As a producer, it always pleases me when a show fills the theatre with cheers and laughter and leaves the audience wanting to come back and see the show all again," said TBTS owner and producer Bill Hanney. "Sister Act is the perfect 'feel good' show to end the 2016 musical season, and will leave audiences anxiously awaiting the 2017 summer shows."

SISTER ACT is the international smash hit musical based on the mega-hit 1992 film that starred Whoopi Goldberg. When disco diva Deloris Van Cartier witnesses a murder, she is put in protective custody in one place the cops are sure she won't be a found: a convent. Disguised as a nun, she finds herself at odds with both the rigid lifestyle and the uptight Mother Superior. Using her unique talents to inspire the choir, Deloris breathes new life into the church, but in doing so blows her cover. Soon it is nun-on-the-run time but she finds salvation in the heavenly power of her newly found sisterhood.

SISTER ACT is written by multi-Emmy Award-winners Cheri and Bill Steinkellner ('Cheers'), with additional material contributed by additional book material by Tony and Olivier Award-nominee Douglas Carter Beane. SISTER ACT features all new original music by Tony and 8-time Oscar-winner Alan Menken (Newsies, Beauty and the Beast, Little Shop of Horrors, Aladdin) and lyrics by Glenn Slater (School of Rock, Leap of Faith, Love Never Dies, Tangled) with a vast inspiration of musical styles from Motown, soul and funk to great big disco anthems and Barry White inspired musical comedy.

The cast of SISTER ACT will be led by Jeannette Bayardelle as Deloris Van Cartier and Ellen Harvey as Mother Superior. The cast also features Philip Michael Baskerville (Curtis Jackson), Brent Bateman (Joey), Jennie Boone (Sister Mary Patrick), Juan Caballer (Pablo), JarEd Dixon (Eddie Souther), Avionce Hoyles (TJ), Tina Johnson (Sister Mary Lazarus), Tom Gleadow (Monsignor O'Hara), and Lael Van Keuren (Sister Mary Robert).

The ensemble includes David Alea, Annabella Barks, Nick Cirillo, Tyla Collier, Maria Day (Mary Theresa), Katie Merrick Finan, Molly Keane-Dreyer, Cody Knable, Rebecca Kuznik, Caitlin Mesiano, Ellen Peterson (Mary Martin of Tours), Cara Salerno, Hannah Kate Wilson, and Lamont Walker.

SISTER ACT is will be directed and choreographed by Kevin P. Hill. The creative team also includes Rodney Bush (Music Direction), Kyle Dixon (Scenic Design), David Costa-Cabral (Director of Costumes), Jose Santiago (Lighting Design), Danny Erdberg (Sound Design), Michael Dates (Wig & Hair Design), Talia Krispel (Production Stage Manager), and Meg Tracy Leddy (Assistant Stage Manager). SISTER ACT is produced for Theatre By The Sea by Bill Hanney (Owner/Producer), Kevin P. Hill (Producing Artistic Director), and Thom Warren (Associate Producer).

SISTER ACT plays August 17 - September 4, 2016. Tickets are $47, $57, & $67. Performances are Tuesdays through Sundays, please check the website for exact dates and show times as they vary week to week. Tickets are available by phone (401) 782-8587, online at theatrebythesea.com, or in person at 364 Cards Pond Road, Wakefield, RI 02879. The 2016 Season is sponsored by WJAR - NBC 10.

Once again, Theatre By The Sea's notorious Late Night Cabaret will be performed by the cast and staff following every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening show. The cabaret is performed by the cast and theatre staff at Bistro By The Sea, the onsite restaurant at Theatre By The Sea. There is no cabaret on the first weekend of each show.