REVIEW

MILT THOMAS

There are two excellent reasons for you to catch Sister Act at the Riverside Theatre before its successful run ends on May 1. First of all, the show is brilliant and more than entertaining. Based on the hit 1992 film of the same name (starring Whoopi Goldberg), Sister Act the musical was a Broadway smash as well. If you haven’t seen either, you can rent the movie anytime, but it would be a crying shame if you didn’t see the performance in these last few days it lights up the Stark Stage. Literally.

The production quality is as close to Broadway standards as you will ever see on a local stage. The story, acting, singing and dancing are superb, especially the vocal artistry of lead character, Deloris Van Cartier, played with heart and soul by Dan’yelle Williamson. As good as she is, Ms. Williamson is not the only voice among the cast that reaches out and touches the audience. And the music is original and contemporary, composed by Alan Menken (The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and Pocahontas, Little Shop of Horrors) and lyricist Glenn Slater.

The production itself deserves above-the-title billing. From the frequent changes in backdrops that slide almost unnoticed in and out of view to lighting effects that dazzle and take on a life of their own make this show a feast for the senses as action moves from nightclub to church, police headquarters to back alleys.

I’m sorry I couldn’t make it to the opening because I would probably have seen it more than once.

Through all of the entertaining performance, you must keep in mind that this is an entirely local production – created, rehearsed, designed and built right here. The performers are seasoned professionals with national resumes, hired by CEO Allen Cornell and his staff to perform this show. That brings up the second reason you need to see Sister Act.

Riverside Theatre is one of Vero Beach’s outstanding cultural amenities. People come from miles around because the quality is on a par with that found in any Florida metropolitan area. People who move here from New York and other markets up north are willing to invest in the cultural amenities they are used to and we all benefit. Broadway quality at Vero Beach prices.

Most performances of Sister Act have been sellouts, but there are still some tickets available for this, the final show of the 2015-2016 season. Be sure to visit the Riverside Theatre website (www.riversidetheatre.com) or call the box office at 231-6990.