The cast of "Sister Act." Photograph by Joan Marcus
Going to a musical about nuns may not seem like the best time for a laugh, but the movie-based musical Sister Act is filled to the brim with humor, oftentimes in unexpected places, lending a little light to the darker storyline. Sister Act has been touring for over a year and runs from November 19 to December 1 at the Fox Theatre in St. Louis (527 N. Grand).
Sister Act takes place in Detroit, 1977-78, and tells the story of an aspiring lounge singer, Deloris van Cartier (Ta’rea Campbell). After auditioning for her (married) boyfriend, Curtis (Melvin Abston), and getting rejected, she decides she doesn’t need him and leaves the nightclub. On her way out, she witnesses Curtis shooting one of his lackeys. She runs to the police for protection, and is whisked off to a convent by Eddie, a man who had a crush on her in high school, who she refers to as “Sweaty Eddie” (Chester Gregory).
Deloris gets a less-than-warm welcoming to the convent by the Mother Superior (Hollis Resnik) and is immediately appalled by the idea of acting like a nun until she is safe, but this is where the real fun begins.
Aside from the unexpected comedic moments, the show is extremely well-cast, from Deloris’ mob boss boyfriend Curtis and his three buffoonish thugs, to the shy, young postulant Sister Mary Robert (Ashley Moniz) who astonished audiences with her powerful voice. Though this show gives every character their moment in the spotlight, the most focus is on Resnik and Campbell, whose chemistry is out of this world.
In between performances, Resnik agreed to do a quick interview, sharing how she got involved in the show and her insights on working in theatrer.
So what made you want to audition?
HR: Well, they actually called me. I was busy doing Angels in America in Chicago, which is where I’m based. They wanted me to fly in. It was on Broadway and I had seen the movie years and years ago, but I wasn’t connected to it in any way. So I told them, “I can’t fly in because I’m doing a seven and a half hour play.” So I put myself on tape and I got the part off of a tape, which is very unusual.
They must have really loved you for the role to cast you that way.
Yeah, they liked my tape enough to offer me the gig, but like I said, it was unusual.
I actually thought the whole show was very well-cast. Everyone was wonderful, from line delivery to executing choreography to singing with these amazingly moving voices.
Yes, they are a great group of singers. Those nuns really know what they are doing, don’t they? It’s a very good group. It’s a very tight, well-written show. We’ve been on tour for over a year and it’s been a huge crowd pleaser, everywhere we go.
So you’ve been doing the show for a year now. Have you seen many actors come through?
Oh, yes. It’s like a revolving door.
Does that ever make things difficult?
No, not really. You adjust. Every actor is different and brings something new of themselves. So there’s people in and out quite a bit. Sometimes people leave because they’re sick. I’m leaving to do another show for a while, and then I’m coming back. Things happen in a big show like this.
How much longer are you doing this show before the next one?
I’m doing these two weeks here in St. Louis and then I’m going off to Milwaukee Rep to do End of the Rainbow, which is about the last two months of Judy Garland’s life and then I’ll come back to the show.
Are you very similar to Mother Superior?
No. [Laughing] No, I just like her emotional journey. I really do. I like strong women.
I really enjoyed your little chats with God.
I know! I have the best scenes with God. My scene partner is God, so that’s one of those fun things about it for me.
What do you think is the best part of Sister Act?
I love the message. And I love the last scene because Deloris and Mother Superior come together and it’s two people coming from completely different walks of life coming to a unique understanding. You just have to open your heart a little bit. It’s about love and sharing your heart.
Was theater always the dream?
I grew up in a very musical family, so I was always singing and dancing and playing the piano when I was young. I didn’t really work hard at my craft as an actor until after college.
What was your first big show?
I got hooked up with the Shakespeare Festival and I did Taming of the Shrew and Twelfth Night. You really have to work as an actor. You can’t just get up in front of an audience and smile. You have to really create a life and an emotional journey. It’s just not an easy process. It’s never been easy for me. It takes a lot more than people think. Life on the road is not glamorous. Actors spend a lot of their time in basements, getting ready. And then you see the magic.
Do you have advice for people that want to go into theater?
I would say think about the bigger picture and that it’s a very noble profession. The arts are a necessity in our culture, not a luxury. We are so interested in celebrity-ism, but I believe in something a little bit different than that, if you’re an actor. Take it very seriously. It can be fun, but it is a very serious business.
What would you say to people thinking about seeing Sister Act?
It’s such a great holiday show. It gets you in the spirit and I think anybody that comes will really enjoy it. It’s an amazing family show, so I hope people come out and see us!
For more information on Sister Act or to purchase tickets, visit fabulousfox.com or call 314-534-1111.
