by Cari Lynn Pace *
It’s hallelujah and high praise for Sister Act, now running in Santa Rosa at 6th Street Playhouse through June 27.
This stage version patterns the plot of Whoopie Goldberg’s popular 1992 movie. The movie’s rock ‘n roll soundtrack has been scrubbed to feature original rock and soul music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Glenn Slater. These songs may not have made Billboard’s 100, but they propel the plot and show off fine voices. Of course, there are still a few ancient hymns tucked into the nuns’ habits.
Megan Bartlett directs a large cast headed by Majesty Scott, who shines as Deloris Van Cartier. Deloris is a glitzy singer with a badass married boyfriend Curtis (Isiah Carter.) Curtis has a gun and isn’t afraid to use it.
Deloris stumbles over an execution, so the local detective (Andrew Cedeño) coerces her into a convent for witness protection from her boyfriend. Delores reluctantly dons the habit and is introduced as Sister Mary Clarence. Her brash style and impudent approach to the nun’s life amazes and amuses the pious nuns, bringing constant laughs from the audience. Some laughs were regrettably missed by those further back in the audience as the quick patter was low in microphone volume.
A frustrated Mother Superior (Tracy Hinman) assigns Deloris to the church choir. Deloris channels her musical ability into the off-key nuns, with fine results that raise the church roof. Hannah Passanisi, Angie Faith Palce, and Christine Naber contribute holy harmony as they sing about convent life.
Voices keep popping out like prayers amidst this amusing production. The nuns’ chorus turns into outrageous fun with costumes by Barbara Page and Carolyn Bartlett, who jazz up the black-and-white habits. More audience applause broke out when the triple-change costume is stripped away from Cedeño as the detective sings a solid solo.
Curtis’s henchmen, (a fine trio of Chase Thompson, James Cates, and Maick Poroj) bring constant laughs as they sneak around high-stepping on a search for Deloris, blessed by Jorey Cantu’s choreography. Kudos to musical director Ginger Beavers leading an eight-piece band which fills the theatre with feisty religious fervor.
Hamlet may have urged Orphelia to “Get thee to a nunnery” but today he might have advised her “Get thee to Sister Act!” for a convent that really rocks.
Playing through June 27, 2026 in the GK Hardt Theatre at 6th Street Playhouse, 52 West 6th Street, Santa Rosa.
Click HERE for more information and tickets.
Photos by Eric Chazankin
Cari Lynn Pace is a long-time Bay Area theatre critic whose reviews were regularly featured in the Marinscope Community Newspapers and a voting member of the San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle.
North Bay Stage and Screen 