Rockville Musical Theatre’s Sister Act, produced by Eric Scerbo, was jazzy and humorous and hit all the right notes as it explored religious trauma, found family, and self-empowerment through big, bold musical numbers directed by Scott Richards, choreographed by Duane Monahan and Cathy Oh, and music-directed by .Scott Richards.
Immediately, the audience is transported to the stage at a popular nightclub, where Deloris Van Cartier, played by Iris Dewitt, channels the likes of Diana Ross, Tina Turner, and other divas as she belts out the first song of the show, “Take Me to Heaven,” illuminated by a spotlight, and later on, a discoball that speckles the wall of the theater (special effects by Andrew Dodge and set design by Maggie Modig).
True to the song’s name, it is heavenly, accompanied by an orchestra and backup vocals from Tina (Jasmine Diaz) and Michelle (Mary Efimetz), clad in matching one-pieces that glitter and sparkle (Ginger Ager, costume design), reminiscent of the loud, gaudy outfits that were typical for the ’80s.
Deloris is a character a lot like all of us — a dreamer with a passion for the thing she loves, even if it doesn’t necessarily pay all the bills and her career has plateaued. After all, isn’t that the reality of the average artist? Stuck between wanting to create and making ends meet?
After witnessing a murder, Deloris ends up in the Witness Protection Program, a pivotal moment in the musical as we see her go from wannabe diva, thirsty for stardom, to a fish out of water trying to navigate her new reality as a nun in a convent, caught in a battle between her hidden identity and the young, wild, and free woman she desires to be. Her frustration with her predicament is disguised as witty jokes (e.g., “Jesus freak”) and harsh, yet considerate, words of wisdom from Mother Superior (Carmel Ferrer), but then “The Lord’s Prayer” is recited, and like Deloris, who quickly spits out the scripture, almost as if to prove herself, I felt myself activate like a sleeper agent.
It’s been years since I attended a church service, walking away from the institution after spending 12 years of my childhood attending Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, and everything in between; yet I was saying the prayer to myself on muscle memory.
In hindsight, for a musical riddled with religious themes — the good, the bad, and the ugly — my reaction was akin to the effects of indoctrination growing up in a cult.
But perhaps it was the subtle reference to domestic violence and being trapped in a relationship, one where there’s control and manipulation, as Curtis (played by Tommie Adams) reminisced on how much he knows that girl, who just so happens to be Deloris — the same girl he gifted a fur coat that really belonged to his wife. Curtis spends much of the remainder of the show desperate to track her down, even going as far as to threaten to kill her and the other sisters. For many victims of domestic violence, as has often been said, the most dangerous time is when they leave.
In a time when the nuclear family unit is prioritized, the themes of sisterhood and found family are prominent as Delores explores her new life, influencing and inspiring others along the way to do the same.
I laughed, I cried, especially when Sister Mary Robert, played by Ava Silberman, crooned “The Life I Never Led,” expressing deep feelings of grief over not having and doing all the things we’ve been told we should by a certain age, or when “Sweaty Eddie” (Clayton Alex James) stopped being sweaty. Overall, I had a really good time, with the two-and-a-half-hour runtime flying by as I hummed and clapped along to the beat. More than a musical with catchy songs and well-thought-out choreography, Sister Act is food for the soul, a show that encourages the audience to embrace change and grow.
Running Time: Two and a half hours with one intermission.
Sister Act plays through July 12, 2026 (July 10–11 at 7:30 pm; July 4–5 and 12 at 2:00 pm), presented by the Rockville Musical Theatre, performing at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, Rockville Civic Center Park, 603 Edmonston Drive, Rockville, MD. Purchase tickets ($26; $23 for students and seniors) online, by calling the Box Office (240-314-8690), or by email (boxoffice@rockvillemd.gov).
The program is online here.
Sister Act
Music by Alan Menken
Lyrics by Glenn Slater
Book by Cheri Steinkellner & Bill Steinkellner
Additional Book Material by Douglas Carter Beane
Based on the Touchstone Pictures Motion Picture “Sister Act” Written by Joseph Howard
PRODUCTION
Directed by Duane Monahan
Produced by Eric Scerbo
Music Directed by Scott Richards
Choreographed by Duane Monahan & Cathy Oh
