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Regional Reviews: Phoenix Sister Act Also see Gil's reviews of The Front Page, & Juliet, Looking Over the President's Shoulder, and Little Shop of Horrors
Sister Act follows Deloris Van Cartier, a nightclub singer who witnesses a crime committed by her gangster boyfriend, Curtis. To protect her until she can testify at the trial, the police hide her in the most unlikely of places–a convent. Deloris initially clashes with the stern Mother Superior but befriends the sheltered nuns and soon discovers that her musical talents can help transform their struggling choir into a soulful sensation. Composer Alan Menken and lyricist Glenn Slater crafted an upbeat, gospel-infused score filled with toe-tapping numbers that range from disco-inspired anthems to heartfelt ballads. The book by Cheri and Bill Steinkellner, with additional material by Douglas Carter Beane, injects plenty of sharp wit and comic charm, leaning into the fish-out-of-water premise while deepening the themes of faith, friendship, and personal transformation. Unlike the 1992 film, which was set in contemporary Reno and San Francisco, the stage musical shifts the action to 1970s Philadelphia, giving Menken's score a funkier, Motown-inspired edge that fits perfectly with Deloris's disco diva persona. At the heart of MET's production is a powerhouse performance from Camryn Simone as Deloris. Her charisma, strong comedic flair, and powerful vocals anchor the production with humor and heart. In songs like "Fabulous, Baby!" and the title song, Simone's commanding singing voice and infectious energy create an endearing portrayal of this lovable character. Mother Superior is played with quiet strength and emotional depth by Randi Jill Condit, providing the perfect foil to Deloris. Condit's dry wit and perfect comic delivery get big laughs. As Mother Superior gradually softens toward Deloris, the realistic relationship between Simone and Condit make the interactions between their characters both funny and moving. As Eddie, the kind-hearted cop assigned to protect Deloris, Cam Blackwell charms the audience with his awkward sincerity and impressive vocals, especially in his humorous standout solo, "I Could Be That Guy." Among the nuns, Devyn Firestine as Sister Mary Robert stands out as the shy novice who finds her confidence through music; her powerful solo, "The Life I Never Led," is a true showstopper. Understudy Addie Jensen oozes boundless energy as the energetic Sister Mary Patrick, while Jordan Applegate adds plenty of sharp, sassy humor as Sister Mary Lazarus. As Curtis and his trio of bumbling henchmen, Tyler Fleck, Mike Zollars, Zane Dupuis, and Jesus Diaz provide well-timed comic relief, delivering the show's most playful numbers with gleeful absurdity. David Heap has a lovely delivery full of dry wit as the Monsignor, and the large ensemble cast are all quite good playing the nuns in the convent and a few other roles. Brianna Fallon's direction keeps the pacing brisk while balancing the humor and heartfelt moments using creative staging and lighting by Rob Littlefield to make the most of Zachary Krenytzky's minimal set. Simple scenic touches, including a few fun projections, and colorful costumes by Colin Patrick help distinguish locations and character traits. Ashley Bauer-Webb's choreography, full of joyful movement and character-driven fun, complements the upbeat gospel and disco-inspired score perfectly and is danced quite well by the large cast. The music direction by Michael Samuel delivers lovely harmonies from the large cast and impressive vocals from the leads. Full of laughter, catchy tunes, and heartfelt moments, Mesa Encore Theatre's Sister Act delivers a vibrant, laugh-filled celebration of sisterhood and soul. Please note that the roles of Deloris, Mother Superior, Eddie, and Sister Mary Robert are double cast. At other performances, Courtnei Carey, Dawn Gunderson, Devin Baheshone, and Sydnie Navaho play those roles. Sister Act runs through November 23, 2025, at Mesa Encore Theatre, Mesa Arts Center, 1 East Main Street, Mesa AZ. For tickets and information, please call 480-644-6500 or visit mesaencoretheatre.com. Director: Brianna Fallon Cast: |
