MANILA, Philippines — “I think even members of the clergy have sense of humor and would enjoy it.”
Such has been the assurance of Jo McCrory, general manager for international touring musical “Sister Act,” when asked by Philstar.com if she has seen clerics watch their show produced by Whoopi Goldberg, who played in the 1992 movie.
While Whoopi’s flick has been set in the ‘90s, the musical, said McCrory, is faithfully ‘70s, hence, the disco-dancing and singing nuns and priests, and the disco-ball-clad giant statue of the Virgin Mary that serves as the show’s centerpiece.
So far, the show has not received negative reviews even from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, which usually asks for a boycott of shows and films it deems offensive.
“We feel really lucky we haven’t got any feedback like that. Although there are some elements that make fun of prayer. You see, in a scene, Deloris (the main character) can be seen making fun of the prayer. But she isn’t really comfortable about praying. She hasn’t done it before. So, she really doesn’t know how you’re supposed to do it in a proper way,” McCrory explained.
She said, in fact, her uncle from the Church of England thinks the musical is funny as he is always making fun of himself.
Okay for children
McCrory admitted that there are funny songs like “Lady in a Long Back Dress” that talks about seducing a nun. But even with the presence of “adult jokes,” she assured that “Sister Act” is “still okay for children.”
“From its brightly colored costumes to its hummable tunes and wholesome message, ‘Sister Act’ is a family-friendly musical all the way. The big no-nos like sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll, play a little part in the show…and what violence is seen onstage is largely implied, rather than graphic,” Ovation Productions explains in a statement.
“But I think the main message is it doesn’t really matter if you’re Catholic, if you’re from another religion, or if you’re not religious at all. We can learn to love each other. I think that’s what makes it particularly relevant as well,” said McCrory.
Not just a ‘gay’ musical
Due to the musical’s glitter and vivaciousness, it has been associated to the LGBTQ community.
But according to McCrory, it is not only due to the production numbers, but because it aspires to welcome everyone.
“It’s not trying to be an insulting musical. It’s trying to be inclusive,” she stressed.
“Musical theater is such an inclusive world. You can be who you want to be in musical theater…No matter your religious orientation, sexual orientation, anything. You have space to enjoy the show,” said the general manager, who does not mind if “Sister Act” has been linked to the gay community.
A proof of the musical being welcoming to everyone is its core crew team of 16 that includes Filipinos, who travel the world together with the cast.
Sophie Kim, who plays Sister Mary Robert, has also been received well by the musical’s Asian audience for her South Korean roots and looks. McCrory said Sophie joined the cast in New York and since then, she has become a “role model” for Asian actors.
“She’s very talented. She’s been into a lot of big productions in South Korea. What a fantastic voice!” McCrory said of Kim.
Based on the 1992 film of the same name, "Sister Act” tells the story of aspiring disco diva Deloris Van Cartier. Trying to work her way to the top in ‘70s Philadelphia, Deloris falls in love with a very tough—and very married—gangster named Curtis.
When Deloris witnesses him commit murder, she ends up hiding on police orders in a convent whose parish has fallen on hard times. Though the sequin-free lifestyle does not agree with her, Deloris finds her calling by working with the choir. She then breathes new life into the dusty convent while discovering a sisterhood she has never had before.
“Deloris is such a strong personality. The entire cast has great chemistry. You’ll walk away feeling just on air. You’ll be feeling show, singing the songs, humming the tunes, dancing around the street!” McCrory avowed.
The musical, playing at The Theatre at Solaire until July 9, has been well received in its first Asian stop, Singapore, even if Catholicism is not as strong in Singapore as it is in the Philippines, McCrory said.
“Because of the strong history of Catholicism here, I think the audience here will really understand some of the jokes,” she opined.
She believes Filipinos would love “Sister Act” as much as they enjoyed “Beauty and the Beast,” which McCrory’s Broadway Entertainment Group and Troika Entertainment also brought to the Philippines through Ovation Productions.
Both “Sister Act” and “Beauty and the Beast” feature original music by eight-time Academy Award, Grammy and Golden Globe Award recipient Alan Menken, who is also behind Disney’s “Alladin,” “Newsies,” “The Little Mermaid” and “Enchanted,” as well as “Little Shop of Horrors.”
McCrory thinks that just like other Menken masterpieces, the first “Sister Act” performance in Manila will be loved by Filipinos of all stripes.
“Because of the strong history of Catholicism in the Philippines, I think the overall message of ‘Sister Act’ is sisterhood, and love, and it’s okay to be yourself. I think those will resonate well among Filipinos,” she ensured.
Tickets are available online at www.ticketworld.com.ph or call (02) 981-9999.
WATCH: A scene from 'Sister Act' in Manila