Whoopi Goldberg revealed a few hints about the upcoming musical adaptation of her movie hit, Sister Act on today's episode of The View. She'll be among the producers of the show, and gave a preview of the production's poster artwork. Whoopi was visibly excited as she discussed the upcoming musical. The original film afforded her great success in the role of "Sister Mary Clarance", she spoke of the "unknown" actress who'll portray the role in the UK production, a person she said "is just amazing, and she's not me, which will open up the story to a whole new generation".
She also gave the rough arrival time for Sister Act: the Musical's Broadway mounting as "Fall 2009", though there is no official word on the show making the jump to New York at this time.
UK theatre website Whats On Stage reported earlier this week that Sister Act: The Musical will receive its European premiere in the West End next year, opening June 2nd, 2009 at the London Palladium, the current home of The Sound of Music. Sister Act: The Musical will begin previews on May 7th, 2009.
Sister Act: The Musical has a gospel-tinged score by Alan Menken (Little Shop of Horrors, Beauty and the Beast), lyrics by Glenn Slater, and a book by Cheri and Bill Steinkellner (Princesses).
"When disco club singer Deloris Van Cartier is placed in protective custody in a dying convent, her unique brand of funk comes face-to-face with the traditions of the church and the strict order is in for a change. Masquerading as a nun named Mary Clarence, this Sister's act will have you laughing and singing in the aisles," stated press notes for the stage production that played the Pasadena Playhouse in 2006.
Whats On Stage reports that the stage version will transplant the original film's action to 1970s Philadelphia. The Pasadena production starred Dawnn Lewis as Deloris, Elizabeth Ward Land as the Mother Superior and Harrison White as Deloris' gangster boyfriend Curtis. There is no West End casting information at this time.
Sister Act: The Musical replaces the Andrew Lloyd Webber revival of The Sound of Music, which is currently booking the London Palladium until February 28th, 2009. The Sound of Music opening November 3rdm 2006.
Starring Goldberg, Maggie Smith, Kathy Najimy and Harvey Keitel, the film, which was directed by Emilie Ardolino and featured a screenplay by Joseph Howard, was a smash hit at the box office and inspired a sequel--Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit.
Whoopi Goldberg is a name known by all as one of the world's premier comedians, film actress, stage actress and radio and television personality. In 2002, she became one of a very elite group of artists who have won the Grammy ("Whoopi Goldberg, 1985), the Academy Award ("Ghost, 1991), the Golden Globe ("The Color Purple, 1985 and "Ghost", 1991), the Emmy (as host of AMC's "Beyond Tara: The Extraordinary Life of Hattie McDaniel", 2002) and a Tony (Producer of "Thoroughly Modern Millie", 2002). She is equally well-known for her humanitarian efforts on behalf of children, the homeless, human rights, education, substance abuse and the battle against AIDS. This past June she hosted the 2008 Tony Awards for CBS and is currently moderator on the popular ABC talk show "The View". She starred in the Broadway productions of Xanadu and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.
You can read a BroadwayWorld.com feature on the Pasadena production of Sister Act: The Musical by clicking here.
Photo Credit: Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.
