By Olive Carson

Strathcona High School

One of the hardest things to find is acceptance. The search for approval appears to be an endless journey of finding the right crowd or the right place and time. However, Archbishop MacDonald’s stunning performance of Sister Act, highlights that finding acceptance from others, and yourself, requires self-sacrifice and charity. Using clever characterization and tailored, tactful tech, Archbishop Macdonald’s production left the audience with a meaningful reflection of what it means to be accepted.

The comedic musical, Sister Act, inspired by the 1992 film, was originally written by Jerry Zaks. It first hit the stage in 2006, presenting themes of acceptance, friendship, and sacrifice, all of which stay relevant to current society. Set in Philadelphia in the 1970s, the musical follows the story of Deloris and her struggle to find fame with her music. Yet, when forced to take refuge in a church she is faced with leading a choir of nuns, Deloris finds a new life of acceptance and sisterhood.

A remarkable detail of Archbishop Macdonald’s Sister Act was the creative use of the physicality of each character. With the nuns having all the same attire, telling each character apart without dialogue was a challenge that was handled perfectly by Tanatswa Bumhira (Deloris), Mana Espinoza (Mother Superior), and Lola Manning (Sister Mary Patrick). With every step, each character easily stood out from one another. Whether that be the sass of Bumhira’s every movement, the stiff and conservative manner of Espinoza, or the blissful enthusiastic motions of Manning, it was always evident that the embodiment of characters was always present and consistent. This exceptional acting choice brought their characters to life without a single word of dialogue, a talent which heightened the overall production.

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An additional aspect of the musical was the incredible and clever set design led by Hannah Kavangh. Overall, there was a variety of cleverly picked set items which enhanced the world-building and 70s aesthetic of the production. However, the four backdrops were an intelligent creation which allowed for clean transitions of the church setting and the booming city setting of Philadelphia. Each side was carefully painted and complimented the characteristics of each setting. This detail easily caused the production to be clear and distinct in world-building.

Another technical detail that stood out was the exceptional choice in costuming which was done by Christine Andison, Katie Boutette, Catalina Davies, and Sofia Paulik. From the difficult work of perfecting each and every detail of the nun costumes to the clever onstage costume change of Eddie Souther in the heart-wrenching musical number, I Could Be That Guy, the costuming was clearly done with endless amounts of effort and creativity. In addition, the costuming also established the amazing aesthetic of the 70s. The choices of the gang’s costume design sent the audience back in time and demonstrated once again, the amazing creativity of the costuming.

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With excellent choices of characterization and tech, Archbishop Macdonald’s Sister Act truly showed the creativity and effort the cast and crew put into every detail of this show.

By Kat Riedlberger

Strathcona High School

Ridiculous, fun and heartwarming, Archbishop Macdonald High School put on a rousing and joyful performance of Sister Act, engaging the audience in a celebration of song, dance, and sisterhood.

Sister Act was originally released as a film in 1992 and rose to cult classic status. Adapted into a Broadway musical in 2006, it tells the tale of Deloris, a lounge singer who goes into hiding in a convent after she witnesses her mobster boyfriend commit murder. Within the convent, she is put in charge of the struggling choir and is able to find friendship, love and sisterhood until the choir’s unexpected fame endangers her. Complete with hilarity, vivid emotion and stellar performances from both cast and crew, Archbishop Macdonald’s production had the audience in the palm of their hands: laughing, cheering, and even tearing up.

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The aesthetics of the production in the hands of stage manager Katie Boutette were beautifully realized, from the gangster suits which perfectly invoked the camp and theatricality of the late 70s, to the bejewelled nun habits, to the sequins, sequins, sequins! The costumes went far in setting the stage for a production full of flair and dazzle worthy of Studio 54. The set design also stood out, with backdrops hand-painted by students and minimalist yet versatile pieces that could be easily switched between the sanctity of the convent and the seediness of the nightclub.

Additionally setting the environment and the mood, props must be given to the lighting design, which exemplified the feelings of the characters and helped to differentiate between the two settings. Particularly excellent was the use of spotlights during strong emotional beats, a beautiful window gobo utilized for the convent setting and of course, a stunning mirror ball used sparingly but effectively.

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But what makes a great production if not a great cast? In the lead role of Deloris, Tanatswa Bumhira delivered the role with all the cheek and jubilance it called for, alongside a fabulous vocal performance, giving the audience an easy character to root for. Standout performances amongst the rest of the 34-strong cast were Keane Nedamo as Curtis Jackson and Mana Espinoza as Mother Superior. Nedamo fully embodied the swagger and smoothness befitting such a reprehensible character, even managing to enchant the audience at the heights of his villainy, while Espinoza managed to bring the sternness of her character to life whilst also embodying her emotionality, particularly in songs such as Here Within These Walls. The physicality of the cast, especially within the nun ensemble, was also beautiful; each character was able to reach beyond the homogeneity of the black robe and white habit and stand out through body language alone.

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Archbishop Macdonald High School’s hysterical production of Sister Act is surely one for the books. A masterclass in comedy, emotion and most importantly, plain and simple joy. Its cast and crew must applaud themselves for such a jubilant adaptation that surely left more than one person considering entrance into a convent.

By Xia Valencia

Strathcona High School

Sister Act: A Divine Musical Comedy is the musical adaptation of the iconic 1992 American comedy, Sister Act, starring Whoopi Goldberg, directed by Emile Ardrolino. The year is 1977, and Deloris Van Cartier, a spirited Philadelphia night-club singer, has been forced into hiding as a choir instructor in a convent after witnessing a murder committed by her gangster boyfriend, Curtis Jackson, who now wants to silence her… permanently. Her secular lifestyle clashes with the pious lifestyle of the convent, the clash changing both her and the sisters around her. In Cheri and Bill Steinkellner’s musical adaptation, original songs written and composed, respectively, by Glenn Slater, and Alan Menkin hit you with gospel music and a punch of disco. Overall, the musical promises laughs and camp for days.

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Archbishop’s production served what felt like a window into the world of a cheesy, yet undeniably endearing, 70s sitcom. Comedy is hard to pull off. The challenge of combining comedic timing, tact, and character all at once is no small feat, which is why Archbishop’s cast deserves acknowledgement for their dead-funny execution. Jokes always hit their marks, setting off firework laughter in response to anything from sweaty pits to rapping nuns. Such a show could not have been pulled off without excellent casting; particularly impressive was the acting and singing of Mana Espinoza as Mother Superior and Keane Nedamo as Curtis Jackson. Espinoza brought a distinct depth and comedy to such a rigid character. Beyond this, her solos were captivatingly tender, conveying Mother Superior’s devotion to the convent. Contrasting this, Nedamo’s depiction of Curtis, the sleazy gangster boss, had audiences enamoured; his power and ruthlessness were palpable.

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The heart of the show was the vibrant ensemble, orchestra, and technicians who added layers and layers of colour and light to this production. Group numbers, such as Sunday Morning Fever and Spread the Love were oozing with infectious joy. The light design, by Katie Coutts, Vern Slipetz, and Jorja Tupper, skillfully guided the atmosphere, sprinkling in that good disco flavour. Supporting everything, Archbishop’s robust orchestra played with impeccable precision and zeal. All characters, the nuns in particular, were portrayed with distinct, lovable personalities, while providing glorious vocal harmonies. At the center, Tanatswa Bumhira anchored numbers with the radiant warmth and vocal virtuosity of a true Deloris Van Cartier. When every piece came together, the show was fully immersive. Having witnessed the level of quality Archbishop is capable of delivering, it was notable that act one, in comparison to act two, was occasionally wanting. Commitment to energy and dancing was not always sustained and took some time to build up. This being said, act two certainly delivered the energy and dazzle that was previously craved with killer group numbers and elevated absurdity.

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Altogether, Archbishop did an excellent job at making the production their own. The choice to put on Sister Act, according to directors, came about as a matter of having had the right cast at hand, which holds true to their final production. This cast had a jubilant bond that imbued itself throughout the whole production. The result? A sincerely hilarious and soulful show that engaged the spirits of audiences till the very end.

By Rosalie Briggs

Strathcona High School

Your life’s destiny can reveal itself in unexpected ways, as demonstrated in Archbishop Macdonald High School’s production of Sister Act. When Deloris, a lounge singer from Philadelphia must go into hiding from her mobster boyfriend at a convent, she realizes that she can use her passion for singing to teach the nuns to perform and help keep the church from being closed.

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This witty musical comedy is funny and uplifting, an entertaining watch that includes meaningful commentary on finding one’s path. The cast, crew, and everyone that worked on this production executed it expertly, truly bringing this story to life.

The casting for this production was phenomenal, most notably Tanatswa Bumhira as Deloris van Cartier, the story’s protagonist. From outstanding vocals to her execution of lines and choreography, Bumhira perfectly encapsulated this complex character. Keane Nedamo also blew it out of the water with his portrayal of Curtis, the antagonist, losing himself in the role of a violent, arrogant character. Adheesh Patnik and Francesca Rodriguez, as Eddie and Sister Mary Robert, both important side roles, delivered amazing performances, portraying their characters with depth and emotion. The supporting cast was incredible, especially in group numbers and larger scenes. One of the most notable of these roles was Lola Manning as Sister Mary Patrick, who brought eye-catching, captivating energy to the stage. The entire cast had excellent line delivery, expression, and comedic timing that made every joke land perfectly.

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Choreography and tech were also huge parts of this production and were both extremely well done. Sitting in the third-floor balcony was an amazing experience, since there were so many details in the blocking and choreography that would not have been noticed from ground level, like the nuns standing in the formation of a cross, or other patterns in the movement of people. The lighting of the whole show was also great, shifting from purple hues and a disco ball in the city to warm-toned lights with projections of light coming through windows on the floor of the church. Costuming really helped establish the performance in the 70s, most clearly through the mobsters’ wardrobes of bell-bottomed pants and aviator sunglasses.

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Despite the La Cité Theatre having limited wing space, the crew made the most of it and the set had a fair amount of furniture moving on and off between scenes, which really helped visualize the whole story. At the back of the stage there were big panels that had a cityscape on one side and church imagery on the other, which was cleverly used along with lighting to show the difference between downtown Philadelphia and the convent. While seemingly small details, they really helped make the performance feel real and immersive, like the audience was a part of the story, which was very fun.

Overall, seeing this performance was a wonderful experience, and the precise attention to detail was very well done. With so many talented actors, vocalists, student choreographers, and people working in tech, it’s apparent that a lot of hard work, dedication, and passion went into this production, and being lucky enough to witness it truly “took me to heaven.”

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By Anureet Aujla

Lillian Osborne High School

Archbishop MacDonald High School’s Sister Act: A Divine Musical (an adaptation of the 1992 movie Sister Act) left one bedazzled and impressed. From the live music to the choreography, and the cast to the technicalities, most of it was students’ work, which is a huge accomplishment given how smoothly everything was run amidst the participation of about 55-60 students.

Sister Act: A Divine Musical Comedy is a contribution to society’s current fascination with ’70s-era nostalgia. The musical tells the story of an aspiring singer, Deloris Van Cartier, while she is being protected by the police after witnessing a murder. To keep her safe, she is forced to stay in a convent among a group of nuns. However, the mob is not the only problem. Deloris’s easygoing and sarcastic yet gutsy attitude is not considered suitable among the nuns, especially by Mother Superior. Deloris eventually starts becoming more comfortable as she begins helping out the nuns and realizes what it means to be a sister. Archbishop MacDonald’s production does a great job of giving life to this story with its cast, live music, well-coordinated musical numbers, edgy costumes, timely lighting, and props.

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As the audience, when the show first began the centre mirror ball lightning along with the music surrounded the theatre with this glamorous ambience that got everyone hooked from the start. All the actors as their characters had a gripping stage presence.

Tanatswa Bumhira played Deloris’s character with visible dedication from the singing parts, the attitude to body language and delivery. It all gave a powerful insight into Deloris’s disposition as the main character. Bumhira’s singing was exceptional and evocative. At moments the audience could feel the shivers with each changing note. Mana Espinoza was no less in portraying Mother Superior, a difficult role to play given the rigid and uptight temperament of the nun, yet Espinoza gave emotions to the character by showing Mother’s vulnerable side with her stirring singing voice. Meanwhile, Francesca Rodriguez filled the boots of Sister Mary Robert rather profoundly. Rodriguez’s delivery, voice and body language developed the character’s timid and obedient temperament potently into a brave and confident one by the end. Eddie Souther was the real showstopper. The initially flustered man soon wooed everyone with his chivalrousness and hidden charisma as the show proceeded. Adheesh Patnik made Sweaty Eddie an audience favourite.

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The gangsters and nuns’ ensembles were well-coordinated and harmonized when singing and dancing. The environment of the convent and the bustling city was contrasted rhythmically and seamlessly with the props, background, and lighting transitions. The live music could’ve made it difficult with the timings, yet it made the whole show more atmospheric and impressive. The precision of everything running on and off stage was very well managed. The costumes were fitting to the era and the characters, making them highly commendable.

Archbishop MacDonald’s musical Sister Act was expressive and artistic with bold inventiveness and subtle humour. The whole production showed great teamwork which made the show magnificently eloquent and evoked a feeling of wholesomeness.