Wheaton Drama opens its season with 'Sister Act' musical on Sept. 16
Wheaton Drama Inc., no stranger to shows with nuns with prior productions of "Nunsense" and "The Sound of Music," is opening its 2022-23 season with "Sister Act," based on the 1992 classic movie.
Deloris, a Las Vegas singer with a mobster boyfriend, witnesses a murder. To protect her, the legal system puts her into witness protection, in a convent. The only one with knowledge of this is the Mother Superior. Sister Mary Clarence (Deloris) has been given the assignment to enhance the convent's choir. Between the rigid routine of the institution and the less than conventional teaching methods Sister Mary Clarence uses, each of them learn to accept the roles they have been put in to meet the needs of the convent and others.
The production is directed by Kevin Taylor and produced by Mike Boyna. Music director is Douglas Orlyk with Abigail Hamilton-Campbell and Katy Smith as choreographers. Taylor has loved the movie because it epitomizes the opportunity for someone to have a second chance in life."
"The convent and Mother Superior aren't ready for this sudden deviation from normalcy. Yet, there is sunshine in a crowded forest where it hasn't been in some time. I want to share the music in this show that you wouldn't have heard in the movie."
Deloris/Sister Mary Clarence is played by Abigail Adjei-Perberg who says, "Deloris just wants to be accepted. Our pasts do not define us. Now she has a purpose."
Jane Grebeck-Brewer, who portrays Mother Superior, adds, "This show values the most important aspect of all: Love. The willingness to be moved by the heart to allow change has renewed her character's devotion for others."
Additional cast members include Genevieve Corkery (Sister Mary Robert), Elizabeth Mora (Sister Mary Patrick), Angel Novie (Sister Mary Lazarus), Stan Austin (Monsignor O'Hara), German Serrato (Curtis), Justin Davis (Eddie), Carson Van Horn (TJ), David Korzatkowski (Joey), Eli Herrera Pena (Pablo), Tracy Kay (Sister Mary Martin-of-Tours), Jean Austin (Sister Mary Theresa), Najah Iman (Michelle), Meredith Strombeck (Tina), and Gregory Winston (Ernie).
The ensemble feature Julie Rodgers-Baker, Bob Di Leo, Gabbie Hill, Laura Kaster, Dee Kimpel, Karin S. Kramer, Lisa Medearis, Tati Utvic, Dianne Wawrzyniak, and Katy Zimmerman.
"Sister Act," with original music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Glenn Slater, opens Sept. 16 and runs for four weekends.
Performances are 7:30 p.m. Thursdays to Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays, through Oct. 9, at Wheaton Drama's Playhouse 111, located at 111 N. Hale St. in downtown Wheaton.
American Sign Language interpreted performances are slated for Sunday, Sept. 25, and Friday Sept. 30.
Tickets are available at www.wheatondrama.org or by calling (630) 260-1820.