Lyric Arts’ Sister Act is comedy, grace, & soul.
Photo by Molly Jay
Directed with an empowering vision by Siddeequah Shabazz, this production bursts with energy, joy, and relevance. In a time when so many people are still searching for where they belong or learning to speak up for what they believe in, Sister Act reminds us that voice is power — and that sometimes, transformation comes from the most unexpected places.
Cassie Edlund is everything. She commands the stage with heart and energy. Every second she’s onstage, she’s magnetic — even in silence. Her portrayal of Deloris Van Cartier was not just funny and charismatic, but full of genuine emotion. Her performance in the title number “Sister Act” was particularly heartwarming — every word and movement radiated connection and purpose. I felt like I was right there with her.
Sister Act follows Deloris Van Cartier, an aspiring disco diva and girlfriend to gangster lounge owner Curtis, who she sees commit a murder. After rushing to the police, she’s quickly placed into witness protection — in a convent. Needless to say, nun life isn’t quite her scene. But when she’s asked to take over the choir as a way to stay out of trouble, her real fun begins. She not only transforms their painful shrieks into glorious harmonies — she teaches them to sing with soul, to believe in their voice, and to use it loudly.
“Raise Your Voice” is basically the equivalent to The Sound of Music’s Do-Re-Mi, and quite possibly my favorite number — full of discovery, joy, and that thrilling moment when a group finally clicks. Laura Long’s music direction was amazing, the harmonies soared, the comedic timing hit, and the energy was electric.
This was my first time hearing the Sister Act musical score (I’d only been partially familiar with the film), but I’m a big fan of Alan Menken, so I knew I was in for something good. What I didn’t expect was just how fun, catchy, and laugh-out-loud funny the songs would be. It’s the kind of score you want to play on the way home — and I did.
Other performances abounded:
Kaoru Shoji blew me away as Sister Mary Robert — the initially quiet postulant who finds both her voice and her place in the world. Shoji’s voice is an absolute treasure: radiant, expressive, and deeply moving. I was captivated every time she sang and truly cannot wait to see more from her.
Quintin Michael was lovable and hilarious as Eddie, the sweet, awkward cop who’s been crushing on Deloris since high school. His big song, “I Could Be That Guy,” where Eddie imagines being good enough for Deloris was a hit — complete with a jaw-dropping quick-change in which Eddie’s cop uniform is torn away revealing a disco jumpsuit, his confidence skyrocketing until the jumpsuit is the ripped off to reveal his cop uniform again, snapping him back into reality. I’d say I’m usually good at spotting tech magic, but at no point did I expect any of that, so big applause to the wardrobe department.
Jonathan P. Haller as Joey, one of Curtis’ henchmen, was another crowd favorite — stealing scenes with expressive facials, spot-on comedic timing, and musical charm.
Fjare Harder gave Mother Superior the perfect blend of wit and conflict, resisting Deloris at every turn, slowly realizing change in the church isn't such a bad thing. I really enjoyed the choices she made for her character and comedic timing.
The ensemble was sharp and full of personality, elevated by Michael Terrell Brown’s choreography — which was full of fun, flair, and vintage 70s sparkle. The dances were stylish and upbeat, paying homage to the era while keeping things fresh and exciting. I loved Michael in The Reunion last year, and it’s clear he brings just as much brilliance behind the scenes as he does onstage.
Visually, the production was polished and engaging. The set moved us efficiently between nightclub, police station, and convent with smart design and seamless transitions (shoutout to the run crew and ASM whose runsheet I imagine was stacked). I especially loved the onstage mini-stage that extended in and out to suggest different locations — a simple but effective detail. Khamphian Vang’s costumes fully immersed us in the era with classic 70s flair: jumpsuits, denim, headbands, and bell bottoms galore. And the lighting design, particularly during the song “Sister Act,” added a beautiful sense of memory, with gobos resembling stained glass windows that made it feel like we were watching Deloris imagine herself back in the convent.
Lyric Arts’ Sister Act is not only laugh-out-loud funny and musically exciting — it’s a story of empowerment, transformation, and learning to raise your voice, even when the world tells you to stay quiet. This cast, crew, and creative team delivered a show that’s not only entertaining, but deeply moving and joyously relevant.
Go see it. And get ready to clap, laugh, and maybe even get a little teary.
Sister Act is running through May 11th, don't miss it: single tickets are $47–56
https://www.lyricarts.org/tickets
Rush Tickets: (subject to availability) tickets are $20 and available 30 minutes before the performance
