Sister Act Musical Due on Broadway in Spring 2011

The musical adaptation of Sister Act, which opened on London’s West End in June 2009, will arrive on Broadway in spring 2011, according to an announcement from producers Whoopi Goldberg and Stage Entertainment UK. Four-time Tony winner Jerry Zaks is set to direct the Broadway production at a theater to be announced. (Former Disney Theatricals head Peter Schneider helmed the London production.) No casting has been set.

Sister Act features music by Alan Menken (Little Shop of Horrors, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid), lyrics by Glenn Slater (The Little Mermaid) and a book by Cheri and Bill Steinkellner (Cheers). The story centers on disco diva Deloris Van Cartier, who is put into protective custody after witnessing a murder in the one place cops are sure she won't be found: a convent. Disguised as a nun, she finds herself at odds with both the rigid lifestyle and an uptight Mother Superior. Using her fabulous disco-ness and killer voice to inspire the choir, Deloris breathes new life into the church and community, but in doing so blows her cover. Soon it’s nun-on-the-run time but she finds salvation in the heavenly power of her newly found sisterhood.

Based on the hit 1992 feature film, the musical version of Sister Act opened at the London Palladium on June 2, 2009, with American actress Patina Miller as Deloris. The show received four Olivier Award nominations, and its original cast recording recently reaching Number 1 on the iTunes soundtrack chart. A German production will open in Hamburg in December 2010, followed by productions in Australia, Mexico, Japan, South Korea, Italy, France and Spain. As previously announced, show producer Whoopi Goldberg (who starred as Deloris in the feature film) will play Mother Superior in the London production for 23 performances beginning August 10.

Creative team members from the London production will join Zaks on the New York staging of Sister Act, including Anthony Von Laast (choreography), Klara Zieglerova (sets), Lez Brotherston (costumes), Natasha Katz (lighting) and Mick Potter (sound).