SISTER ACT to Open Next Week at Alhambra Theatre & Dining

A mob informant walks into a convent...sounds like the opening to a great joke, but it's really the premise of the Alhambra Theatre & Dining's newest production, Sister Act.

Based on the 1992 movie which starred Whoopi Goldberg, Sister Act originally opened in London's West End in 2009 and debuted on Broadway in 2011. The show was nominated for 14 Laurence Oliver, Drama Desk and Tony Awards.

It will open at the Alhambra on September 7 for two nights of previews before its Gala on September 9 and it is scheduled to run through October 9.

The Sister Act cast features Renee Veronica Freeman who starred as main character "Deloris Van Carter" in the national and international tours of the production. Freeman has also appeared on the CBS drama Limitlessand and the NBC drama Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Joining her are Disney cast members Molly Anne Ross and Joshian Morales.

Sister Act is the feel-good musical comedy smash based on the hit 1992 film that has audiences jumping to their feet! Featuring original music by Tony- and eight-time Oscar winner, Alan Menken (Newsies, Beauty and the Beast, Little Shop of Horrors), this uplifting musical was nominated for five Tony Awards, including Best Musical. When disco diva, Deloris Van Cartier, witnesses a murder, she is put in protective custody in the 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 uptight Mother Superior. Using her unique disco moves and singing talent to inspire the choir, Deloris breathes new life into the church and community but, in doing so, blows her cover. Soon, the gang is giving chase, only to find them up against Deloris and the power of her newly found sisterhood. Filled with powerful gospel music, outrageous dancing and a truly moving story, Sister Act is a sparkling tribute to the universal power of friendship.

As he does for each Alhambra show, Executive Chef DeJuan Roy has created a menu inspired by the story and music of Sister Act. The first course features a choice of white bean, kale and turkey sausage soup or spinach salad with apples, raisins, red onions, warm bacon vinaigrette; the second course features a choice of roasted lemon chicken with garlic and herb red potatoes and Italian-style green beans, or Chimichurri-braised pork with baked barbecue black-eyed peas, white rice, garlic and Texas toast, or fried triggerfish with tomato cheese grits, Brussels sprout slaw and a lemon herb aioli, or house-made pirogi & vegetable Stew. The dessert course includes a choice of Dutch Apple Pie with warm caramel or Banana Split Cake

Sister Act will run at the Alhambra for a limited engagement September 7 - October 9, 2016. Show time is 8:00 PM for evening shows. Doors open at 5:30 PM and dinner will be served until 7:30 PM. Matinees on Saturday are at 1:15 PM. Doors open at 11:00 AM and brunch starts at 11:15 AM. Sunday matinee is at 2:00. Doors open at noon and the meal starts at 12:15 PM. Ticket prices start at $35, and includes dinner, show and parking. Call the box office at 904.641.1212 or www.alhambrajax.com.

The Alhambra Theatre is the nation's longest continually operating professional dinner theater and the only professional resident theater between Atlanta and Miami. Opened in 1967, The Alhambra has hosted legends such as Tony Curtis, Claude Aiken, Sid Cesar and Cesar Romero, and, recently, Loretta Swit, Barry Williams, Jamie Farr, Sally Struthers, Joyce Dewitt, Michael Learned, Barbara Eden, Lisa Whelchel and Mike Farrell. The Alhambra was the place of Betty Grable's final acting role. The Alhambra is also home to former Miss America, Orange Park native Leanza Cornett who started at the Alhambra when she was 15. In November 2009, the Alhambra was purchased by Theatre Partners, LLC, headed by Jacksonville entrepreneur and Alhambra patron, Craig Smith as way to give back to Jacksonville and preserve what he believes is one of its cultural jewels.