Production - November 2015
Performances: Tuesday 17 to Sunday 22 November 2015 (including matinées on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 November)
We are pleased and excited to announce that our production for November 2015 is the brilliant new musical SISTER ACT.
Based on the film starring Whoopi Goldberg, this will be a premiere production for Solihull and the area. With an original score by 'Beauty and the Beast' composer Alan Menken, SISTER ACT is a sparkling tribute to the universal power of Friendship. The show is a reason to Rejoice! You will be up singing and dancing in the aisles with them. It would be a sin to miss it! Tickets are on sale - see the Tickets page!
TWO FURTHER PERFORMANCES ADDED ON SUNDAY 22 NOVEMBER!
Thanks to everyone who attended the recent audition sessions - we had a great turn-out, particularly from all those wanting to be a nun! The cast list can be seen below and over to the right.
We are thrilled to announce that Loretta Parnell has joined the company to take the lead role of Deloris van Cartier in our November production of ‘Sister Act’, to be staged at Solihull Arts Complex.
Loretta’s previous stage experience will bring a wonderful dimension to the role made famous by Whoopi Goldberg in the film version of ‘Sister Act’. We welcome Loretta warmly and know that she’s going to be just ‘Fabulous Baby’!
Meet some of the female cast!
Deloris van Cartier will be played by Loretta Parnell, Mother Superior by Rachel Pattinson, Sister Mary Robert by Alice White, Sister Mary Lazarus by Sarah Furmage, Sister Mary Theresa by Alison Tumber, Sister Mary Martin-of-Tours by Dianne Bennett. Deloris’s backing singers Michelle and Tina will be played by Laura White and Charlotte Costello.
Deloris van Cartier will be played by Loretta Parnell, Mother Superior by Rachel Pattinson, Sister Mary Robert by Alice White, Sister Mary Lazarus by Sarah Furmage, Sister Mary Theresa by Alison Tumber, Sister Mary Martin-of-Tours by Dianne Bennett. Deloris’s backing singers Michelle and Tina will be played by Laura White and Charlotte Costello.
RACHEL PATTINSON
plays MOTHER SUPERIOR
plays MOTHER SUPERIOR
NICOLA PALFREY
plays SISTER MARY PATRICK
plays SISTER MARY PATRICK
SARAH FURMAGE
plays SISTER MARY LAZARUS
plays SISTER MARY LAZARUS
ALICE WHITE
plays SISTER MARY ROBERT
plays SISTER MARY ROBERT
LAURA WHITE
plays MICHELLE/NUN
plays MICHELLE/NUN
CHARLOTTE COSTELLO
plays TINA/NUN
plays TINA/NUN
DIANE BENNETT
plays SISTER MARY MARTIN-OF-TOURS
plays SISTER MARY MARTIN-OF-TOURS
ALISON TUMBER
plays SISTER MARY THERESA
plays SISTER MARY THERESA
We are also delighted to welcome the male cast!
Curtis Shank will be played by Richard Gosnay, Monsignor O’Hara by Nigel Jones, Eddie Souther by Rob Restell, Joey by Richard Haddock, Pablo by Davyd Bagby. TJ will be played by Kieran Corrigan.
Curtis Shank will be played by Richard Gosnay, Monsignor O’Hara by Nigel Jones, Eddie Souther by Rob Restell, Joey by Richard Haddock, Pablo by Davyd Bagby. TJ will be played by Kieran Corrigan.
RICHARD GOSNAY
plays CURTIS SHANK
plays CURTIS SHANK
ROB RESTELL
plays EDDIE SOUTHER
plays EDDIE SOUTHER
NIGEL JONES
plays MONSIGNOR O’HARA
plays MONSIGNOR O’HARA
RICHARD HADDOCK
plays JOEY
plays JOEY
KIERAN CORRIGAN
plays TJ
plays TJ
DAVYD BAGBY
plays PABLO
plays PABLO
Synopsis
Act 1
On Christmas Eve, Deloris Van Cartier is performing for her gangster boyfriend Curtis Jackson in the night club he owns (Take Me to Heaven). Deloris is overjoyed as she believes her boyfriend is going to introduce her to a record producer on that day, although she soon learns that this is not to be. Jackson tells her he cannot join her for Christmas Day, but gives her a coat, which she discovers belonged to his wife. Hurt and frustrated, Deloris goes to her backup singers Michelle and Tina, about her dreams of stardom and fame (Fabulous, Baby!). She decides to break up with Jackson and head out of Philadelphia to go fulfill her dreams on her own. However she gets to Jackson just in time to see him and his crew - made up of nephew TJ, Joey, and Pablo - shoot someone who they believe has "squealed" about them to the cops.
Horrified, Deloris runs away and Jackson orders his men to get her and bring her back. Deloris runs to a police station and tells the desk chief, Eddie, about what happened. The two recognize each other as old friends from school with Deloris calling him "Sweaty Eddie". Eddie decides that Deloris needs to go into the witness protection program and sends her to the place he believes Jackson will never find her - a convent.
Deloris is disappointed by this idea as she learns from the Mother Superior that contact with the outside world is limited, and that she cannot smoke, drink, or wear any of her less than appropriate clothing (Here Within These Walls). Deloris joins the other nuns for dinner, is introduced as Sister Mary Clarence, and after several comedic interactions with the overly perky Sister Mary Patrick, Deloris discovers just how much is limited when she is a nun (It’s Good to Be A Nun). Deloris asks them about what they’re missing, and Mother Superior makes Deloris go on a fast.
Meanwhile back in his nightclub, Jackson is frustrated that he cannot find Deloris anywhere. He tells Joey, TJ, and Pablo how he will not stop until he finds and kills Deloris (When I Find My Baby). Back at the convent Deloris is hungry from the fast. She goes across the street to a slinky bar, and is followed by Sister Mary Patrick and Sister Mary Robert, a shy and quiet nun. When the two nuns arrive they see how fun things can be outside of the convent. However, Deloris recognizes Joey, TJ, and Pablo entering the bar. Suddenly there is a fight in the bar, giving Deloris, Sister Mary Patrick, and Sister Mary Robert a chance to escape.
Eddie and Mother Superior meet them back at the convent. Mother Superior confronts Deloris, telling her that she must conform to the life of the nuns. Eddie agrees, telling Deloris that Jackson has upped the price on her head, so she needs to be careful. Deloris storms back to the convent after being informed that she has to wake up at 5 a.m. and join the choir. Eddie, now alone with only the drunks and homeless on the street, sings of his desire to be cool, to let go, and impress Deloris (I Could Be That Guy).
The following morning Deloris attends the choir practice and realizes how bad it is. Deloris offers to try teaching them, taking over from Sister Mary Lazarus, an older nun. Deloris teaches the nuns how to sing in key and on time. She also manages to break the quiet and timid Sister Mary Robert out of her shell (Raise Your Voice). That Sunday, the choir perform an up-tempo hymn (Take Me to Heaven (Reprise)) which to the struggling church's surprise brings in more people and more donations. Mother Superior, however, is horrified how the simple traditional choir she knew has changed and become modern.
Act 2
Mother Superior wants to get rid of Deloris, but Monsignor O’Hara tells her that the men who were planning to buy the church love the choir, and have given their money to improve and keep the church. Over the coming weeks, the choir has become incredibly successful and the money from donations has paid for the church to be remodeled and fixed (Sunday Morning Fever). Monsignor O’Hara has some terrific news: the choir has been asked to perform a special concert in front of the Pope. However, the newfound fame comes at a price.
Jackson and his goons spot Deloris with the choir on the television. Jackson orders his boys to get into the convent and bring Deloris to him. TJ, Joey, and Pablo discuss how they will do this (Lady in the Long Black Dress).
Meanwhile, Mother Superior prays to God and asks why He has given her the challenge that is Deloris (Haven’t Got A Prayer). But, she soon gets a call from Eddie. Deloris is approached by the Nuns before they go to sleep, asking her to lead them praying for their show for the Pope, which is the following day (Bless the Show). Mother Superior arrives and tells Deloris that the court date for Jackson has moved up to the next day and she must leave immediately. The other nuns overhear and Deloris is forced to tell them the truth about who she really is and that she cannot perform with them. Deloris quickly runs off to get her things followed by Sister Mary Robert while the other nuns disappointedly go back to their rooms.
As Deloris prepares to leave, Sister Mary Robert begs to come with her, claiming that she has been inspired to become a stronger person and go after the things she wants (The Life I Never Led). Deloris tells her that she doesn't need her to do that, and that she can do it all herself if she really wants to. Deloris runs from the convent and stays at Eddie's house for the night. While there she initially is overjoyed that the following day she will testify against Jackson and his boys and then go back to pursuing the career she's dreamed of (Fabulous, Baby! (Reprise)). But guilty for abandoning her sisters when they needed her, she reflects on her life and realizes that the choices she is making will leave her with nothing but fame and money, and when the lights go out she will be alone. She decides to return to the convent and sing with her sisters (Sister Act).
Meanwhile, Jackson thinks up a new way to get into the convent (When I Find My Baby (Reprise)). Dressed as nuns, Jackson, Joey, TJ, and Pablo sneak into the convent; they find and chase Deloris. The Nuns see that, and they all prepare to protect Deloris. Mother Superior, however, is adamant that they stay and call the police, prompting an outburst from Sister Mary Robert who tells her that she won't be quiet and take orders blindly anymore; that she is going to help Deloris (The Life I Never Led (Reprise)). The other nuns agree and all of them go running through the convent looking for Deloris.
It all comes down to a final confrontation in which Jackson, armed and dangerous, tells Deloris to get on her knees and beg for her life. However, all the sisters and nuns stand in front of her telling Jackson that they will have to go through them first (Sister Act (Reprise)). Jackson is about to start firing at the nuns when Eddie comes in and fights Jackson off. He arrests Jackson and his boys and Deloris and he share a kiss. Mother Superior and Deloris come to a truce and accept that perhaps they are not so different after all. The show ends with all the nuns and eventually the entire cast performing for the Pope (Spread the Love Around). The cast then perform Raise Your Voice (Reprise) as a curtain call.
On Christmas Eve, Deloris Van Cartier is performing for her gangster boyfriend Curtis Jackson in the night club he owns (Take Me to Heaven). Deloris is overjoyed as she believes her boyfriend is going to introduce her to a record producer on that day, although she soon learns that this is not to be. Jackson tells her he cannot join her for Christmas Day, but gives her a coat, which she discovers belonged to his wife. Hurt and frustrated, Deloris goes to her backup singers Michelle and Tina, about her dreams of stardom and fame (Fabulous, Baby!). She decides to break up with Jackson and head out of Philadelphia to go fulfill her dreams on her own. However she gets to Jackson just in time to see him and his crew - made up of nephew TJ, Joey, and Pablo - shoot someone who they believe has "squealed" about them to the cops.
Horrified, Deloris runs away and Jackson orders his men to get her and bring her back. Deloris runs to a police station and tells the desk chief, Eddie, about what happened. The two recognize each other as old friends from school with Deloris calling him "Sweaty Eddie". Eddie decides that Deloris needs to go into the witness protection program and sends her to the place he believes Jackson will never find her - a convent.
Deloris is disappointed by this idea as she learns from the Mother Superior that contact with the outside world is limited, and that she cannot smoke, drink, or wear any of her less than appropriate clothing (Here Within These Walls). Deloris joins the other nuns for dinner, is introduced as Sister Mary Clarence, and after several comedic interactions with the overly perky Sister Mary Patrick, Deloris discovers just how much is limited when she is a nun (It’s Good to Be A Nun). Deloris asks them about what they’re missing, and Mother Superior makes Deloris go on a fast.
Meanwhile back in his nightclub, Jackson is frustrated that he cannot find Deloris anywhere. He tells Joey, TJ, and Pablo how he will not stop until he finds and kills Deloris (When I Find My Baby). Back at the convent Deloris is hungry from the fast. She goes across the street to a slinky bar, and is followed by Sister Mary Patrick and Sister Mary Robert, a shy and quiet nun. When the two nuns arrive they see how fun things can be outside of the convent. However, Deloris recognizes Joey, TJ, and Pablo entering the bar. Suddenly there is a fight in the bar, giving Deloris, Sister Mary Patrick, and Sister Mary Robert a chance to escape.
Eddie and Mother Superior meet them back at the convent. Mother Superior confronts Deloris, telling her that she must conform to the life of the nuns. Eddie agrees, telling Deloris that Jackson has upped the price on her head, so she needs to be careful. Deloris storms back to the convent after being informed that she has to wake up at 5 a.m. and join the choir. Eddie, now alone with only the drunks and homeless on the street, sings of his desire to be cool, to let go, and impress Deloris (I Could Be That Guy).
The following morning Deloris attends the choir practice and realizes how bad it is. Deloris offers to try teaching them, taking over from Sister Mary Lazarus, an older nun. Deloris teaches the nuns how to sing in key and on time. She also manages to break the quiet and timid Sister Mary Robert out of her shell (Raise Your Voice). That Sunday, the choir perform an up-tempo hymn (Take Me to Heaven (Reprise)) which to the struggling church's surprise brings in more people and more donations. Mother Superior, however, is horrified how the simple traditional choir she knew has changed and become modern.
Act 2
Mother Superior wants to get rid of Deloris, but Monsignor O’Hara tells her that the men who were planning to buy the church love the choir, and have given their money to improve and keep the church. Over the coming weeks, the choir has become incredibly successful and the money from donations has paid for the church to be remodeled and fixed (Sunday Morning Fever). Monsignor O’Hara has some terrific news: the choir has been asked to perform a special concert in front of the Pope. However, the newfound fame comes at a price.
Jackson and his goons spot Deloris with the choir on the television. Jackson orders his boys to get into the convent and bring Deloris to him. TJ, Joey, and Pablo discuss how they will do this (Lady in the Long Black Dress).
Meanwhile, Mother Superior prays to God and asks why He has given her the challenge that is Deloris (Haven’t Got A Prayer). But, she soon gets a call from Eddie. Deloris is approached by the Nuns before they go to sleep, asking her to lead them praying for their show for the Pope, which is the following day (Bless the Show). Mother Superior arrives and tells Deloris that the court date for Jackson has moved up to the next day and she must leave immediately. The other nuns overhear and Deloris is forced to tell them the truth about who she really is and that she cannot perform with them. Deloris quickly runs off to get her things followed by Sister Mary Robert while the other nuns disappointedly go back to their rooms.
As Deloris prepares to leave, Sister Mary Robert begs to come with her, claiming that she has been inspired to become a stronger person and go after the things she wants (The Life I Never Led). Deloris tells her that she doesn't need her to do that, and that she can do it all herself if she really wants to. Deloris runs from the convent and stays at Eddie's house for the night. While there she initially is overjoyed that the following day she will testify against Jackson and his boys and then go back to pursuing the career she's dreamed of (Fabulous, Baby! (Reprise)). But guilty for abandoning her sisters when they needed her, she reflects on her life and realizes that the choices she is making will leave her with nothing but fame and money, and when the lights go out she will be alone. She decides to return to the convent and sing with her sisters (Sister Act).
Meanwhile, Jackson thinks up a new way to get into the convent (When I Find My Baby (Reprise)). Dressed as nuns, Jackson, Joey, TJ, and Pablo sneak into the convent; they find and chase Deloris. The Nuns see that, and they all prepare to protect Deloris. Mother Superior, however, is adamant that they stay and call the police, prompting an outburst from Sister Mary Robert who tells her that she won't be quiet and take orders blindly anymore; that she is going to help Deloris (The Life I Never Led (Reprise)). The other nuns agree and all of them go running through the convent looking for Deloris.
It all comes down to a final confrontation in which Jackson, armed and dangerous, tells Deloris to get on her knees and beg for her life. However, all the sisters and nuns stand in front of her telling Jackson that they will have to go through them first (Sister Act (Reprise)). Jackson is about to start firing at the nuns when Eddie comes in and fights Jackson off. He arrests Jackson and his boys and Deloris and he share a kiss. Mother Superior and Deloris come to a truce and accept that perhaps they are not so different after all. The show ends with all the nuns and eventually the entire cast performing for the Pope (Spread the Love Around). The cast then perform Raise Your Voice (Reprise) as a curtain call.
Rehearsals
Rehearsals will get underway in March and are held at Mill Lodge School, Aqueduct Road, Shirley, B90 1BT (see right for map directions).
Rehearsals take place on Monday and Thursday evenings at 7.30pm at Mill Lodge School. Please note that if you have a role in this production, other than unavoidable work commitments, illness and holidays, you are expected as a priority to make yourself available on Monday and Thursday evenings for rehearsals.
If you cannot attend a rehearsal, contact Veronica Walsh on 0121-705 3914 initially and thereafter Stephen Powell or Liane Hughes (phone numbers are on your rehearsal schedule). Please contact the production team directly and preferably in advance of a rehearsal, so that any disruption to a planned rehearsal can be avoided. Do not send absence messages via another cast member or other third party!
There will also be two orchestra rehearsals - Sunday 8 November from 10.00am to 1.00pm and Sunday 15 November from 2.00pm to 5.00pm. Venues to be confirmed.
Rehearsals take place on Monday and Thursday evenings at 7.30pm at Mill Lodge School. Please note that if you have a role in this production, other than unavoidable work commitments, illness and holidays, you are expected as a priority to make yourself available on Monday and Thursday evenings for rehearsals.
If you cannot attend a rehearsal, contact Veronica Walsh on 0121-705 3914 initially and thereafter Stephen Powell or Liane Hughes (phone numbers are on your rehearsal schedule). Please contact the production team directly and preferably in advance of a rehearsal, so that any disruption to a planned rehearsal can be avoided. Do not send absence messages via another cast member or other third party!
There will also be two orchestra rehearsals - Sunday 8 November from 10.00am to 1.00pm and Sunday 15 November from 2.00pm to 5.00pm. Venues to be confirmed.
Sister Act - Flyer Front
(click image to enlarge - right click to download)
(click image to enlarge - right click to download)
Sister Act - Flyer Back (Ticket Booking Form)
(click image to enlarge - right click to download)
(click image to enlarge - right click to download)