Musical Theatre / Sister Act. At Capitol Theatre, Sydney until October 26. Reviewed by BILL STEPHENS.

Based on the popular 1992 film of the same name, which famously starred Whoopi Goldberg, this somewhat bowdlerised stage musical version tells the story of a nightclub singer, Deloris Van Cartier, who takes refuge in a struggling convent in an effort to escape her gangster boyfriend after she inadvertently witnessed him commit a murder. 

While masquerading as a nun she introduces the convent’s choir to the joys of rock ‘n roll. The choir rapidly becomes famous and, to the chagrin of the Mother Superior, pays off the convent’s debt and earns an invitation to sing for the Pope. The resultant fame also reveals Deloris’ whereabouts to her murderous boyfriend, Curtis. 

Whatever charm this story originally possessed seems to have been lost in translation from film to stage musical, because the musical seems rather less interested in the storytelling than the opportunity it provides for a series of slickly staged musical numbers. 

However, Sister Act provides Casey Donovan with her first starring role as a bonafide musical theatre leading lady and she grabs that opportunity with both hands. 

Donovan has been steadily building an impressive career, and a large following, as a recording artist and television personality. Since winning the television talent show Australian Idol at the age of 16, Donovan has been gathering plaudits for her performances in a succession of major musicals including The Sapphires, Rent, We Will Rock You, Chicago, 9 to 5, and most recently, & Juliet.

The score of Sister Act is packed with toe-tapping, rock-inspired songs by Alan Menken and Glenn Slater. These songs are perfect for the ebullient personality and powerhouse voice of Donovan, who revels in the opportunities they offer to blow the roof off the Capitol Theatre. 

There are lovely harmonies for the nun’s choir, cute song-and-dance numbers for Curtis and his henchmen, and thoughtful ballads for Mother Superior (Genevieve Lemon) and Sister Mary Robert (Sophie Montague). Though few of the songs are memorable beyond the finale, this show has a spectacular mardi gras finale that demands, and gets, the now obligatory standing ovation.

However, beyond the spectacular settings, the dazzling lighting design and excellent band, all the directorial attention seems to have been lavished on staging the numbers, rather than telling the story that should hold them together. 

Donovan is fabulous while singing and being Casey Donovan, but surprisingly she hasn’t yet learnt how to create a character beyond her own persona and, when leading a musical, one wants to care about the character the leading lady is portraying, as well as admire the skill of the actor portraying that character. Hopefully Donovan will master this skill as the run settles in, because she has the potential to become an extraordinary leading lady. 

Hopefully, too, the nuns will also work on their characterisations because on opening night they were so busy trying to out-silly each other in the first act that none made any impact as characters. Even the usually excellent Rhonda Burchmore seemed at a loss to inject any individuality into her Sister Mary Lazarus. 

They could learn a lot by taking their cues from newcomer Sophie Montague as the young Sister Mary Robert, and Genevieve Lemon, superb as the Mother Superior, not only because they are costumed differently from the others, but because both have created characters who are believable and consistent. 

Beyond those Raphael Wong as Eddie Souther charmed with his performance of I Could Be That Guy, and James Bell stole scenes at every opportunity as TJ. Elsewhere, the cast tended to overact with enthusiasm while delivering their allotted lines efficiently. 

And talking of costumes, could someone arrange for Morgan Large to replace the unflattering outfit he has Casey Donovan wear in the first act. Obviously it was made for her, but as evidenced in the program, not designed with her in mind. Donovan is proud of her Big, Beautiful and Sexy figure and has every right to be. She can look magnificent, and indeed does so in her finale costume, but this costume does her no favours.