Review: Hallelujah! SISTER ACT comes to California Music Circus

Dancing, singing, bad-guy-catching nuns? You can't go wrong with that combination! Based on the 1992 movie starring Whoopi Goldberg, Sister Act the musical is a feel-good, rousing testament to the power of sisterhood set in 70's funk, soul and disco.

The story follows lounge singer Deloris Van Cartier as she reluctantly goes into hiding at the Queen of Angels church after witnessing a murder committed by her boyfriend, Curtis. Although she is a hilariously inept nun, Deloris sets about transforming the painfully tone-deaf choir into something magical. Along the way, she learns important lessons about faith and loyalty. Deloris is played by Broadway veteran Zonya Love, who belts out numbers like "Take Me To Heaven" and "Sister Act" while playing a perfect mix of jaded innocence.

Lynne Wintersteller, who played an impeccable Dolly Levi in last summer's Hello, Dolly!, returns to Music Circus as Mother Superior. Her uptight, rule-following Mother Superior is the divine countenance to Deloris' exuberance.

Competing for Deloris' attention are her murdering boyfriend, Curtis (Rufus Bonds, Jr.) and her protective cop, Eddie (Alan Wiggins). Both have Barry White-esque voices and give captivating performances. Curtis describes in comic detail what will become of Deloris at his hands in "When I Find My Baby." Eddie, who has pined for Deloris since high school, gives an impressive testament to his love in "I Could Be That Guy."

Stealing the show were Curtis' henchmen- Joey (Todd Horman), Pablo (Chris Chatman), and TJ (Justin Keyes). They are uproariously funny in their song "Lady in the Long Black Dress." It was hard to hear at times due to over 2,000 people howling with laughter, so I would go again just to see that number.

Rounding out an impeccable cast is the ensemble of nuns, who almost made me wish that I was Catholic. Who knew that church could be so fun? Their group numbers were so energetic and the disparity between old and young nuns was so perfectly positioned that it made every song memorable.

A standing ovation from the audience on opening night was indicative of the energy that this cast put out. Everyone was on their feet and clapping their hands for the final number, "Raise Your Voice." Don't miss Sister Act-it is the perfect finale to a great summer of Music Circus shows.

Sister Act runs at Music Circus in the Wells Fargo Pavilion from August 22-27. Tickets are available by phone at (916) 557-1999, online at www.tickets.com, or at the box office at 1419 H Street in Sacramento. More information can be found at www.SacramentoMusicCircus.com.

Photo credit: Charr Crail

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