Sister Act Books Spring 2011 Opening at the Broadway Theatre

The previously announced Broadway production of Sister Act has found a home: The musical adaptation of the hit film comedy will begin previews at the Broadway Theatre on March 24, 2011, and open on April 20, directed by Jerry Zaks. The theater is currently home to Promises, Promises, which recently announced a closing date of January 2, 2011. Casting for Sister Act will be announced shortly.

Featuring music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Glenn Slater and a book by Cheri and Bill Steinkellner, Sister Act opened in London in June 2009 (directed by Peter Schneider) and is scheduled to close there on October 30. Whoopi Goldberg, who created the role of lounge singer Deloris van Cartier in the 1992 movie and played a limited engagement as Mother Superior on the London stage, is lead producer of the Broadway production. Patina Miller played Deloris in the London production.

Sister Act centers on disco diva Deloris Van Cartier, who witnesses a murder and is put in protective custody 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.

Zaks’ Broadway production of Sister Act will feature choreography by Anthony Van Laast, scenery by Klara Zieglerova, costumes by Lez Brotherston, lighting by Natasha Katz, sound by Mick Potter and orchestrations by Doug Besterman.