In 1992 Sister Act, starring Whoopi Goldberg, Maggie Smith, and Kathy Najimy, stole our hearts, the box office, and was the number one rented film in 1993. (Remember that? Feel old?) In 2006, the show was turned into a musical for the West End and Broadway. Now Stage West puts its own black and white spin on the show, running until February 1, 2026.

As a disclaimer, do not go in expecting to see the film’s songs performed. Instead, the show features entirely new music from by Alan Menken and lyrics by Glenn Slater. This has always been a pet peeve of mine. Although many of the songs are great, nothing compares to the church choir belting out My God, Shout, or I Will Follow Him. The story is also what made the film so enjoyable, and in that part the stage production delivers.

Sister Act is the story of Deloris (Ocean Williams), a lounge singer who witnesses her mob boss boyfriend Curtis (Michael-Lamont Lytle) murder one of his goons. She is placed at a convent, The Holy Order of the Little Sisters of Our Mother of Perpetual Faith, where it is believed Curtis will never find her.

Williams is a magnificent performer. Blessed with an incredible voice, her charisma leaps off the stage, especially in interactions with the exasperated Mother Superior (Played brilliantly by Colleen Winton.) Several Stage West favourites add to the mayhem like Katherine Fadum as Sister Mary Lazarus, Rennie Wilkinson as Sister Mary Theresa, and Grant Tilly as Monsignor O’Hara.

The show is laugh out loud funny, the first act especially bringing joke after joke to delighted guffaws from the audience. The fish out of water story is one that has been told a thousand times before, but Sister Act still feels fresh, even 30+ years after it’s source material. JP Thibodeau’s set design makes great use of screens and graphics. This style has been utilized a lot recently in Stage West productions and it’s exciting to see how the small stage can be made so much bigger, brighter, and versatile and I am looking forward to seeing what the future holds.

Sister Act is very much an ensemble show, with amazing harmonies both from the nuns and the comedy relief of a trio of goofy henchmen that can sing like angles. It is obvious that everyone is having a blast on stage and each performance delivers.

The holiday show means holiday themed food at the Buffet. Slices of turkey, cranberry coleslaw, eggnog mousse cake, and Christmas Pudding add some seasonal cheer to dinner. If you like seafood skip the salmon and grab an extra potion of the seafood mac and cheese. The garlic parm potatoes, roast beef, and pumpkin cheesecake are some other highlights to add to your plate.

Whether it’s the office Christmas party, a gathering of friends, or a date night, have faith that you will love Sister Act.

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Contributor Jason Clevett |

Locale Calgary |

Topic Stagewest | Theatre |