Producing “Sister Act” is a huge act for PM&L Theatre, and the team of dozens of actors, two stage managers, two stage runners, two vocal directors and two choreographers is up to the challenge, according to Darius Russelle.
He’s directing the show, which opens Feb. 17 at the Antioch theater and runs through March 12. This production contains adult themes and language and may not be suitable for children under 13.
“To celebrate its 60th year, PM&L Theatre wanted to do something big, and ‘Sister Act’ is very ambitious,” said Russelle.
“It involves people of all ages and races. We wanted it to be a big collaboration.”
The show involves many stage changes, singing, dancing, fog, smoke, strobe and flashing light effects and loud noises. Putting it all together is a challenge and a joy for Russelle.
He remembers watching the movie “Sister Act,” starring Whoopi Goldberg when he was 8 years old at Christmastime as his mother wrapped packages. “I fell in love with the show,” he said. When it became a Broadway musical, he became even more smitten.
“What’s great about the Broadway show is that it has the heart of the movie that came out in 1990,” he said. “Deloris is an aspiring singer. She’s on the run because she witnessed a murder, and in a hilarious turn of events, she ends up in this convent with these nuns.” She teaches them to sing and dance and creates a performing group of nuns.
“For the Broadway show, the music was written by Alan Menken, a legend for many Disney movies,” Russelle said. Compared with the movie, the musical has a more eclectic style of music, with disco, R&B, gospel, the original Broadway sound and rap.
“I think the Broadway version delves more into the story about someone who is not as successful as she wants to be. Her dreams and aspirations are not there,” Russelle said.
“At the beginning of the show, she only care about herself,” he said. “She ends up having a loving heart. It’s about loving people.”
Portraying Deloris is Kishi Johnson, a well-known gospel singer born and raised in North Chicago.
“She’s sung on big stages and small stages,” Russelle said. “She has done it all and has acted on stage over 20 years. I was so thrilled when she came to audition. She’s killing it on the stage. She has a pure heart and she’s hard at work.”
A big challenge for Russelle is that every single scene is in a different place including a nightclub, an alley, a police station and a cathedral.
“With the unique space we have, we have a found a way to maneuver that with lighting, set props and not being so analytical. It’s having out-of-the-box ideas,” Russelle said.
The licensing company also sold the theater a professional projection system that brings the scenes alive, he said. “We had to create entrances and exits in a unique way and the projections are really helping,” he said.
“‘Sister Act’ has such a close place to my heart. I want to see it come to life on the PM&L stage. It’s my vision to have the audience feel they are at a night out in Vegas. I want the audience to laugh and have a good time … I believe we have a winner on our hands,” Russelle said.
“Sister Act”
When: Feb. 17-March 12
Where: PM&L Theatre, 877 N. Main St., Antioch
Tickets: $12-$20
Information: 847-395-3055, pmltheatre.com
Sheryl DeVore is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.
