Everybody will fall in love with this divine musical

MANILA, Philippines - There’s probably no other show this season that will make you laugh harder (and forget your woes transiently) than the internationally-acclaimed smash musical Sister Act.

We first caught this Whoopi Goldberg-produced show when it opened on Broadway in 2010. Adapted from the hit comedy movie of the same title released exactly 25 years ago and starring Goldberg herself in the lead as Deloris Van Cartier, we fondly remember Sister Act The Musical making us laugh our hearts out for two-and-a-half hours.

The Philippine STAR was recently invited to Singapore by Ovation Productions to experience the first leg of the international Asian tour of this endearing musical before it landed in Manila for a limited two-week run at The Theatre at Solaire in Parañaque City. Ovation is the same group behind the Manila leg of the lavish Disney musical Beauty and the Beast at the Cultural Center of the Philippines in 2015.

Sister Act’s Broadway feel was wondrously sustained in this Asian presentation, thanks largely to the stylish production numbers featuring vibrant original tunes by the legendary Oscar and Grammy-winning composer Alan Menken and lyricist Glenn Slater, the fabulous set design and lighting, as well as the solid performances of the cast led by Dene Hill (as Deloris Van Cartier) and Rebecca Mason-Wygal (as the scene-stealing Mother Superior originated in the movie by Dame Maggie Smith). Hill and Mason-Wygal are both American opera singers who are blessed with powerhouse voice and excellent acting chops.

The fast-paced musical tells the colorful yet suspenseful adventures of Deloris, a ’70s Philadelphia lounge singer and Donna Summer wannabe whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a murder by her mobster beau and is put into protective custody in a convent and forced to disguise in a habit as Sister Mary Clarence.

Under the watchful eye of an uptight Mother Superior, Deloris helps the sisters find their voices as she breathes new life into a convent facing closure. She transforms the dull, tone-deaf choir of nuns into a delightful and soulful music ensemble that sends church attendance (as well as monetary donations) through the roof and draws widespread attention including from the Pope who has an amusing special appearance.

Every cast member has a shining moment including the bad guys — mob boss Curtis Jackson (Brandon Godfrey) and his three men, who all have outrageous solo spots; as well as the fragile Monsignor O’Hara (Kevin D O’Neil). The show has electrifying production numbers by the ensemble with It’s Good To Be A Nun topping the list.

Sister Act is not a comedy through and through. There are emotionally-charged moments that will leave you breathless. Mother Superior’s heart-wrenching Haven’t Got A Prayer, in which she realizes she’s losing her grip on power, is a showstopper with Mason-Wygal turning in a bravura performance.

And don’t take your eyes off of New York-based Korean actress Sophie Kim who plays to perfection the character of Mary Robert (originated in the film by the wonderful Wendy Makkena), a shy and weakling postulant who gradually musters up the courage to stand up for herself; her solo number The Life I Never Led is beautifully intense it’s hard not to fall in love with her.

The show is a blast of pure joy and has no dull moment. It has everything you could wish for from a musical — fast-paced, highly entertaining, has plenty of funk and energy and is blessed with a divine cast and music.

And just like Deloris and the nuns who all experienced epiphany along the way, you may even be inspired by this musical to reassess your faith and relationship with God and with people around you, and rethink what truly matters in life to attain ultimate happiness and fulfillment.