Sister Act: The Musical at the London Palladium

Sister Act: The Musical will have its European premiere at The London Palladium in June 2009, with previews from 7 May. Set in 1970s Philadelphia, Sister Act: The Musical tells the story of enigmatic Reno singer Deloris Van Cartier, who is placed in protective custody in a convent after witnessing a gang-land murder.

Disguised as a nun, Deloris finds herself at odds with the restrictive lifestyle and uptight Mother Superior. Eventually, Deloris finds her niche with the ailing church choir. Using her unique brand of disco moves and soulful singing, Deloris inspires the choir, church and community. However increased press attention blows Deloris’s cover and soon her gangster boyfriend is on her tail, but this time Deloris isn’t alone: the sisters are with her!

The character of Deloris Van Cartier was originally made famous by Whoopi Goldberg in the 1992 film Sister Act and sequel Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit. Sister Act: The Musical recreates the magic of the films on stage with a raft of toe-tapping numbers and fast-paced, funny action. The Musical premiered in the US in 2006, opening at the Pasadena Playhouse in California before transferring to Atlanta for a five-week run.

Sister Act: The Musical features a brand new score by eight-time Oscar winner Alan Menken, whose credits include Little Shop of Horrors, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid and more recently the hit movie Enchanted. Lyrics are provided by Glenn Slater with the book by Cheri and Bill Steinkellner.

Sister Act: The Musical will replace Andrew Lloyd Webber’s revival of The Sound of Music at the London Palladium, which is currently booking until 28 February 2009. Sister Act is initially booking through to February 2010. The West End cast is yet to be revealed, but an announcement is expected soon.

If the success of screen-to-stage musicals Dirty Dancing and Grease are anything to go by, Sister Act will prove extremely popular, so buy your tickets early for this divine comedy musical with real heart and real soul.