Review: Sister Act

Theatre Under the Stars’ dazzling production of the musical comedy Sister Act, based on the 1992 film of the same name, truly stunned! Directed and choreographed by Peter Jorgensen, it explores themes of self-acceptance and belonging. The cast shares a magnetic on-stage chemistry, complemented by striking set and costume designs. However, while the heartfelt story easily pulls at the heartstrings, the production suffers from one evident flaw: its pacing.

Right from the outset, the pacing stumbles. The opening scenes lacked clarity as the production quickly shifted from the nightclub performance to the murder scene, and then to the police station. This rapid progression made it difficult to smoothly reveal details about Deloris Van Cartier’s background, upbringing, and most notably, her tumultuous relationship with her mobster boyfriend, Curtis Jackson.

However, the production found its footing when Deloris is sent to the convent to meet Mother Superior and her nuns, transforming into her new identity as Sister Mary Clarence. The atmosphere became calmer and the pacing slowed down, giving Deloris the space she needed to genuinely express herself.

Kat Reynolds shone as the aspiring disco diva Deloris Van Cartier. She mesmerized the audience the moment she arrived on stage to perform the upbeat track, “Take Me to Heaven.” While her acting and stage presence were engaging in Act I, her performance began to feel a bit strained and repetitive during Act II. This is completely understandable given the immense stamina the role demands; however, keeping up that bold, high-energy diva persona for so long eventually felt a little overextended, making it difficult to fully sustain the momentum until the end.

Act II also slows down because the script itself is a bit thin. Once Deloris helps the nuns find their singing voices, the story stagnates. The plot becomes highly predictable, leaving very little room for surprises.

On a brighter note, Eddie was a true highlight of the production. As the sweet, protective police officer who hides Deloris in the convent, he brought a lot of heart and charm to the stage. His character provides a lovely, warm contrast to the high-energy diva moments, and his solo musical number was both fun and genuinely touching. He shared a wonderful, supportive chemistry with Deloris that kept the audience rooting for him throughout the night.

Alyson Vance did a wonderful job capturing the innocent, timid nature of Sister Mary Robert. Her physical acting was very convincing. It was inspiring to watch her friendship with Deloris grow, as it helps her find the inner strength to perform her big solo, “The Life I Never Led.” During this song, her character questions her vows and chooses to experience the outside world. Although her vocals started out a little quiet and hesitant, she beautifully built up her confidence during the climax, completely captivating the audience with great control and powerful dynamics.

The costume design by Christine Reimer beautifully balances late-1970s disco fashion with traditional religious attire. She perfectly captures the era’s energy by mixing glittery disco glamour and classic, gangster-inspired clothing with standard black-and-white nun robes. This visual contrast does a wonderful job of highlighting the two completely different worlds colliding on stage.

The set design by Ryan Cormack was a favourite of mine. It featured a bright, exciting backdrop that perfectly showed the gritty world of Philadelphia in the 1970s. The stage smoothly changed from the city to the convent, creating a wonderful contrast. With its quiet atmosphere, grey tones, and stained-glass windows, the convent felt beautifully peaceful compared to the busy city outside.

Overall, Theatre Under the Stars’ production of Sister Act is a joyful, dazzling, and heartfelt experience. While a thin script and a few pacing issues keep the show from being completely perfect, the production ultimately succeeds thanks to its memorable performances and stunning designs! At its core, the show’s bright spirit and genuine heart make it a truly delightful night of theatre.

Rating: 3.5/5

Date watched: August 13th, 2026

Location: Malkin Bowl at Stanley Park, Vancouver BC