Sister Act: The Musical- Page 2

[Cutielyricist]

Posted: 1/8/07 at 10:03pm

I'm glad Sister Act made those changes. When I saw it in Cali, it had many "problem" moments. The show has merit. But it hasnt found its moments. Its a musical, just not singing the right songs yet.

Delores was a mess. She is obnoxious, rude, over the top- and she never gives us a reason for it. We dont know anything about her back story and we never learn it. From the opening number we get that she is fabulous and a lounge singer. So songs like "I am fabulous" (sung ten minutes later) dont tell us anything we didnt know for fifteen minutes already. People are saying that the actress isnt right for the part. I think she is doing the very best she can with a poorly written main character. She hoots and vamps and shines but has no where to go other than camp and obnoxiousness.

Then there is Delores' second song, where she sings "if i go out there i could die.." What bothered me about it is that she is singing and singing about having to make an important decision and what could happen if she does. But then she ends the song without making it, and sinking into her chair. then in the next scene she rushes in to help the nuns like nothing ever happened. We never see her actively make the decision. There would be so much more drama, more song in a moment where she actually MAKES the decision to go outside.

Then there was Reverand Mother with the song "I never had a prayer." It was in that song (as an eleven o clock number) that I finally understood who the Reverand Mother was. I finally got the character then. Unfortunatly it was almost two hours too late. That song would be a much better song than her real enterance song. "simple life" or something else not memorable. Its the same idea. Shes a strong character, her first song should be something of moment of taking the challenge of Delores. (I Can do This. I dont have a prayer. But I can do this!) as opposed to "Its a simple life. its a life I like"

The "Your Going to hell" song was so out of place I thought was a different musical. It was such a bad number. a BAD number. Would THESE nuns actually say that to the crowd. Would they get involve in the bar fiascos? It's as unneeded a number as......

...."Dress to Kill" I understand the intention was there to give the Shank a number, but its pointless. The message of the song was something like: Go out and kill, but before you do you have to dress like me. Huh? I mean it's a well written number but its just filling time.

I could go on. The musical does have some masterful moments. Teaching the Nuns to sing was a great number, Sister Mary Roberts anthem in act two is amazing, The opening, the end of act one. And the finale were all great musical moments. Unfortunatly they were stretched far between songs that didnt seem to know where they were going.

I wanted to like it. I went in there wanting to love it. And I still have so much hope for it. I think it could be a GREAT show. Right now...not so much.

[B3TA07]

Posted: 1/8/07 at 10:08pm

What are the big issues with the Title Number?

[bluepanda]

Posted: 1/9/07 at 10:59pm

Updated On: 1/9/07 at 10:59 PM

[Bwaybaby109]

Posted: 1/21/07 at 3:33am

Can I just say how much I loved Beth Malone's voice, especially in The Life I Led....I'm like....must have sheet music to this...now! Hehe! I think the show is really cute and maintains the silly, cute essence of the movie. It does need to be tweaked. I really hated Dress to Kill, but I did like 'Lady in the Long Black Dress' those 3 guys sounded amazing together and I just love all the 70's references. I think it does need to be recast some, but I would def keep Beth Malone if possible, and the girl who play Mary Lazarus and Kathy Najimy's character. They were both hysterical. All of the nuns were great! I like most of the songs (mainly bc I love Menken) but there are a few songs in the score where I'm like "what?!" But I do love Eddie's song, "I Could be That Guy" it was so precious and the costume change effect in that was pretty darn cool. I think it could definetly be on Broadway and I would totally see it again! Like I said, the script needs to be tweaked better. I do think the flow of the show is pretty fast...which is great! The opening definetely needs to be reworked some! As for Dawnn Lewis, I have to admit she kinda got on my nerves at first. She was waaay too over the top and it was unnecessary at times. However on her defense, I think it's the way the character is written and the direction she was given. She did have some very nice moments at times and she sounded pretty awesome I think. I can't wait to see the finished product of this. I was smiling, laughing and having a good time overall! I think it's heading in a very good direction. Overall...very well done!
PS Did anyone hear some hints of Menken's past work in the overall score like Little Shop and Hercules? I just thought it was kinda neat.