PicksInSix Review: Sister Act
A ROUSING, RIOTOUS, HIGH-SPIRITED HIT!
When Mercury Theater’s new artistic director Christopher Chase Carter stepped on the stage Thursday to welcome the opening night audience for “Sister Act,” you could feel a higher power in the house. Less than a year ago, Mercury’s future was in jeopardy and without some divine intervention, the former silent film nickelodeon on North Southport, home to such long-running regional hits as “Avenue Q” and “Spamalot” under the production partnership of Walter Stearns and Eugene Dizon for the past decade, might have been lost to Chicago theater audiences forever.
All of the fear, uncertainty and speculation of that eventuality was washed away a few moments later when the dazzling Alexis J. Roston launched into a stunning star turn as Deloris Van Cartier in the hilarious musical comedy about a fame-seeking disco diva who is remanded into the Philadelphia police witness protection program after reporting a murder. Whether shimmering in a silver-sequined Marquecia Jordan outfit, decked out in her nuns veil and tunic, or lounging in your big sister’s wool pajamas, Roston drips with so much charm, talent and vocal presence that you become an instant, true believer in her unique path to enlightment. This is a blockbuster, folks, and recertifies the importance of the Mercury Theater Chicago, and it’s busy cabaret venue Venus, as an essential element to both the Southport Corridor and the Chicago theatrical landscape.
As the story goes: Fearing for her life, officer “Sweaty Eddie” Souter (Gilbert Domally) takes Deloris to a convent to hide from the ruthless gangster Curtis Jackson (Denzel Tsopnang) and his rag-tag minions who want her dead. The free-spirited Deloris immediately gets into the habit of antagonizing Mother Superior (Jane Grebeck-Brewer) with her brash street talk and progressive attitude. A harmonious chord is struck when Deloris takes over the choral direction of the Queen of Angels Singers and wins over the charming sisterhood, the congregation and even the affable Monsignor O’Hara (Ed Kross). The story—by Cheri and Bill Steinkellner with additional book material by Douglas Carter Beane—may verge on the melodramatic at times, but it’s all uproariously funny and sewn together with a phenomenal score by award-winning composer Alan Menken and lyricist Glen Slater.
Director Reneisha Jenkins rocks the parish in her professional directing debut. With a creative team that includes choreography by Carter and music direction by Diana Lawrence, the resounding themes of friendship, acceptance, faith and love come shining through in each character. And while Roston, Grebeck-Brewer and Domally have an abundance of the special kind of chemistry needed to carry the show, their higher calling is infusing that enthusiasm and trust into the entire company, in every song and every production number. It’s really evident and that is why “Sister Act” will leave you feeling three-times blessed.
Among the many featured performances, newcomer Isabella Andrews is exquisitely cast as the shy and demur Mary Robert who blossoms into a confident firebrand. In a show of showcase performances, Andrews sings the touching ballad “The Life I Never Led” with the wide-eyed wonder of innocence. The nuns—Leah Morrow, Jenny Rudnick, Nicole Cready, and Nancy Wagner— along with Nicole Armold and Aalon Smith, are quite simply marvelous. Jackson’s henchmen—Joey (Marcus Jackson), Pablos (Ruben Castor) and TJ (Austin Nelson Jr.)—show off some nifty footwork and serve as terrific backup singers.
Scene designer Angela Weber Miller and video designer G. “Max” Maxim IV have teamed up on an exquisite multi-level set that incorporates high-tech optics which are punctuated by Jackie Fox’s lighting design and Carl Wahlstrom’s crystal-clear sound. In addition to the nightclub dazzle, costume designer Jordan uses a creative, wide-ranging color palette for the nuns habits, altogether making “Sister Act” a rousing, riotous, high-spirited hit!
PHOTO|Brett Beiner Photography
MERCURY THEATER CHICAGO
presents
SISTER ACT
through January 2, 2022
3745 N Southport Avenue
(773) 360 - 7365
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