It's Christmas Eve in 1977 Philadelphia, and Deloris is in the middle of a high- energy audition with her backup singers ("Take Me To Heaven (Nightclub)"). She and the girls are performing for Curtis, Deloris's boyfriend, and his thugs, Joey, TJ, Pablo, and Ernie. Despite praise from the thugs, Curtis doesn't believe Deloris and her singers are ready to perform in his club. After this rejection and a disappointing Christmas gift, Deloris decides that she deserves better, walking away from Curtis and his club with confidence ("Fabulous, Baby!"). However, Deloris is unwillingly drawn back in when she accidentally witnesses Curtis murdering Ernie for being a police informant. Curtis confronts her, but she flees.
Deloris goes straight to the police station where Officer Eddie Souther takes an interest in what she has to say. Immediately recognizing the officer as "Sweaty Eddie," a boy who had a crush on her in high school, Deloris puts her faith in Eddie, trusting him to find her a place to hide from her dangerous boyfriend. Eddie thinks of "the perfect place," Queen of Angels Cathedral in South Philadelphia. Mother Superior hesitates to take in the "wayward woman" Monsignor O'Hara describes, but upon his insistence, she agrees. Both Deloris and Mother Superior are shocked when they discover Deloris will be hiding there for a month. Mother Superior is especially distressed to discover that Deloris is not religious. She describes Deloris's new environment to her, handing her a nun's habit to wear ("Here Within These Walls").
Mother Superior introduces Deloris to the nuns, referring to her as Sister Mary Clarence "from a more progressive order." The nuns say a prayer and begin to eat dinner, but when Deloris complains about the food, Mother Superior proposes a fast. While Deloris complains, the nuns enthusiastically share all the reasons why they love being nuns ("It's Good To Be A Nun"). Mother Superior and Deloris are left alone, and Mother Superior has a proposition: would Deloris like to join the choir? The singer quickly says she will.
The next morning, Deloris arrives at choir practice and is immediately shocked at how terrible the choir sounds. The nuns, however, are amazed at Deloris's musical talent. Taking the musical baton from choir leader Mary Lazarus, Deloris reminds the nuns that they are "rejoicing" and "singing to the Lord." She encourages the nuns to sing louder, to sing on key, and to blend with each other. By the end of the rehearsal, the choir sounds incredible ("Raise Your Voice").
The choir continues to impress at the next church service, where they draw crowds the church hasn't had for a long time ("Take Me To Heaven (Nun Choir Version)"). But not everyone is impressed by the choir's new sound - Mother Superior calls Eddie to the church, asking him to take Deloris away. Eddie relays this command to Deloris, who is frustrated and concerned that Curtis will find her. She is disappointed with Eddie, and Eddie wishes desperately that he could be her knight in shining armor ("I Could Be That Guy").
Deloris approaches Mother Superior about the choir, trying to get her to understand their performances could be beneficial to the church. Mother Superior disagrees... until Monsignor O'Hara reports that the church is receiving a large number of donations. Mother Superior agrees to keep Deloris in the choir, and the next church service is even more energetic than the previous one ("Sunday Morning Fever - Part 2"). Positive publicity flows in, and the choir is even invited to perform for the pope! The nuns are ecstatic. However, all the publicity has a price - Curtis and his thugs recognize Deloris on TV. They hatch a plot to get into the convent and steal her away ("Lady In The Long Black Dress").
Right before their performance for the pope, the nuns nervously gather in Deloris's room. They ask her to lead them in a blessing, and she does ("Bless Our Show"). Suddenly, Mother Superior bursts into the room, telling Deloris she is in danger and must leave. The nuns are confused - who is Deloris? The musician reveals her true identity and the reason she has been staying in the convent. Though the nuns are shocked and saddened by the news, sweet young postulant Mary Robert approaches Deloris and asks to go with her. The young woman is beginning to doubt being a nun is her true calling ("The Life I Never Led"). Deloris tells her she can't make Mary Robert's decision for her; she must figure that out herself. Mary Robert leaves Deloris her rosary, and Deloris expresses her wish to stay with her sisters ("Sister Act").
The nuns are rehearsing for their performance for the pope when Deloris walks into the room. She has chosen to perform with them, and the nuns are overjoyed. But their joy is quickly interrupted when they hear the sound of a window breaking. Curtis has come for Deloris! The nuns scatter, attempting to hide their sister. After a few minutes of antics, Curtis corners Mary Robert, and Deloris steps in to protect her. With her sisters behind her and Curtis coming for her, Deloris kneels and prays ("Sister Act (Reprise)"). Curtis crosses to Deloris, ready to strike, when Eddie jumps out from the middle of the nuns, surprising the thug. The cops handcuff Curtis and take him away, and Deloris rewards Eddie with a kiss. Mother Superior asks if Deloris will come back to the church to visit, and Deloris says she will be back often to sing. The sisters end the show with a rousing performance for the pope ("Spread The Love Around").
Deloris Van Cartier
A strong, street- wise aspiring singer who gets caught up with the wrong crowd. When she witnesses a crime involving her ex-boyfriend, she is put in witness protection – as a nun! Deloris is reluctant at first, but the more time she spends at the convent, the more she realizes that time with the sisters is exactly what she needed. Cast a great actress and wonderful singer in this powerhouse role.
Gender: female
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: G3
Tina
One of Deloris’s backup singers. These featured roles are perfect for enthusiastic performers who may not be quite ready to take on a larger role. Cast solid, good singers who are comfortable with speaking lines in this fun girl group! (And feel free to add these actors to your nun ensemble later in the show.)
Gender: female
Vocal range top: Db5
Vocal range bottom: Ab3
Nina
One of Deloris’s backup singers. These featured roles are perfect for enthusiastic performers who may not be quite ready to take on a larger role. Cast solid, good singers who are comfortable with speaking lines in this fun girl group! (And feel free to add these actors to your nun ensemble later in the show.)
Gender: female
Vocal range top: Db5
Vocal range bottom: Ab3
Elle
One of Deloris’s backup singers. These featured roles are perfect for enthusiastic performers who may not be quite ready to take on a larger role. Cast solid, good singers who are comfortable with speaking lines in this fun girl group! (And feel free to add these actors to your nun ensemble later in the show.)
Gender: female
Vocal range top: Db5
Vocal range bottom: Ab3
Michelle
One of Deloris’s backup singers. These featured roles are perfect for enthusiastic performers who may not be quite ready to take on a larger role. Cast solid, good singers who are comfortable with speaking lines in this fun girl group! (And feel free to add these actors to your nun ensemble later in the show.)
Gender: female
Vocal range top: Db5
Vocal range bottom: Ab3
Curtis Jackson
To put it frankly, a complete jerk. He’s not only mean and dishonest, he’s also dangerous – and he’s got Deloris on his radar. Curtis does not sing a solo, so cast a fantastic actor in this role who can make the most out of playing the bad guy.
Gender: male
Joey
The wise guy of Curtis’s group. He’s an upbeat charmer who is always ready with a joke – even though he’s one of Curtis’s criminals. Cast a charismatic, funny actor with a great singing voice in this role.
Gender: male
Vocal range top: B3
Vocal range bottom: D3
TJ
Not the brightest bulb in the bunch, and the audience is meant to have a few laughs at his expense. Cast a solid comedic actor who has great chemistry onstage with Joey and Pablo.
Gender: male
Pablo
The strong, silent type who definitely leans into his role as the muscle of the group. He has a few lines and sings some, but most importantly, he should make a great third member of the trio with Joey and TJ.
Gender: male
Ernie
One of Curtis’s thugs and, unfortunately, takes the fall for being a police informant. This is a featured role for a good actor! Feel free to double Ernie as an Altar Boy or the Monsignor O’Hara later in the show if your program is short on male actors – just make sure that the audience won’t confuse the characters if they are played by the same person.
Gender: male
Cop
The first person to talk to Deloris about Ernie’s murder. This is a featured role for a performer who may be new to the stage.
Eddie Souther
The quintessential good guy with a heart of gold. Though Eddie was overlooked by Deloris in high school, he never quite got over his crush on her, which results in a few awkwardly endearing moments throughout the show. Cast an excellent actor, singer, and dancer who can portray this hardworking, sweet, dependable cop.
Gender: male
Vocal range top: F4
Vocal range bottom: Ab2
Mother Superior
Devoted leader of the convent. Her church and her sisters come before all else – and she’s not afraid to voice her opinion. Mother Superior means well and eventually comes around regarding Deloris. Mother Superior is a major role, so look for an excellent singer and actress who can portray this strong, independent woman.
Gender: female
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Monsignor O'Hara
The charming spiritual leader of the Queen of Angels Cathedral. His bottom line is to save their church, and hemwill do anything to support the bottom line – including forcing Mother Superior to house Deloris. Monsignor O’Hara should have a good stage presence and a sense of comic timing. He does not sing a solo in the show, so cast an actor with charisma who can take over the stage!
Gender: male
Mary Patrick
A nun in the convent. She is an upbeat, over-the-top, enthusiastic person who is always looking on the bright side. She has a number of solos within songs, so cast a good singer and actor in this fun role.
Gender: female
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Mary Robert
A postulant and the youngest of the abbey’s inhabitants. Shy, soft- spoken, and a bit of a wallflower, she enjoys being a nun, but her friendship with Deloris lets her truly find her voice. Cast a powerhouse singer and a great actor in this role.
Gender: female
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Mary Lazarus
One of the older nuns at the convent, and she leads the choir. She is rather deadpan and not particularly welcoming to Deloris at first, though Deloris’s love of music eventually wins her over. Cast a great character actor with a sense of comic timing who is comfortable with character singing.
Gender: female
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: G3
Mary Martin-Of-Tours
A nun who definitely exists in her own world, so cast a good actor in this role that can make strong character choices. This nun has some wonderful stand-out moments, which include delivering an excellent karate chop, but she does not sing a solo, so cast someone who is a stronger actor than singer for this memorable role.
Gender: female
Mary Celeste
Mary Celeste and Mary Irene are the convent’s cooks. They have a few featured solos, so cast confident singers in these roles.
Gender: female
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: B3
Mary Irene
Mary Celeste and Mary Irene are the convent’s cooks. They have a few featured solos, so cast confident singers in these roles.
Gender: female
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: C4
Mary Stephen
A nun in the convent with a fantastic singing voice. She’s supportive of Deloris’s music from the start. Cast a great singer.
Gender: female
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: C4
Mary Theresa
The oldest nun in the convent. She has a few featured lines and a small solo. This role is a great opportunity for someone new to the stage, so cast a good actor in this role who is comfortable singing in a group.
Gender: female
Vocal range top: B4
Vocal range bottom: D4
Nuns
The Nuns (including Nun 1, Nun 2, and Nun 3) help fill out of the world of the convent. Nun 1, Nun 2, and Nun 3 have featured solos, so be sure to cast actors in these roles that are ready for their moment in the spotlight.
Gender: female
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: G4
Ensemble
Roles include: additional Nuns, Altar Boys, Street People, Angry Street Person, and Members of the Congregation
- Fine Arts
- Social Studies
- The Science of Singing
- Fundraising
- Language Arts - Latin
- Technology of the 1970s
Requirements
|
Music by
|
Lyrics by
|
Book by
|
| Alan Menken | Glenn Slater | Cheri Steinkellner & Bill Steinkellner |
| Additional Book Material |
| Douglas Carter Beane |
| Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director | Susan V. Booth, Artistic Director |
| Lyla White, Executive Director | Tom Pechar, Managing Director |
| Tom Ware, Producing Director |
SHORTENED BILLING: In advertisements of 1/4 page size or less, wherein each case only the title of the play, performance dates and venue are provided and in taxi ads where no other person is billed, the following “shortened billing” is permissible:
Video Warning
The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibitedIncluded Materials
| Resource | Quantity |
|---|---|
| ACTOR'S BOOK | 30 |
| CHOREOGRAPHY VIDEOS DIGITAL | 1 |
| DIRECTOR'S GUIDE | 1 |
| DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCES AND MEDIA | 1 |
| GUIDE VOCAL AND PERF TRACKS DIGITAL | 1 |
| GUIDE VOCAL AND PERF TRACKS DIGITAL | 1 |
| PIANO VOCAL SCORE | 1 |