Sister Act Review – Lively, Entertaining, and Pure Fun

A 1992 musical crime comedy film, SISTER ACT starred Whoopi Goldberg, Maggie Smith, and Harvey Keitel and proved to be one of the most financially successful comedies of the early 1990s – and the most rented film in the U.S. in 1993. The movie earned American Comedy Awards for Whoopi Goldberg (funniest actress in a motion picture in a leading role) and Kathy Najimy (funniest supporting actress in a motion picture), as well as the NAACP Image Award for Whoopi Goldberg as the outstanding actress in a motion picture.

Olivia Leyva, Krysten V. Williams, and Minque Taylor – Photo by Joel Castro

Based on the hit film, SISTER ACT was adapted into a stage musical. With story and book by Bill and Cheri Steinkellner with additional material by Douglas Carter Bean, music by Alan Menken, and lyrics by Glenn Slater, the musical comedy premiered at the Pasadena Playhouse in 2006, where it broke records and ran for two months before moving to the London Palladium in 2009 and finally to Broadway in 2011. The musical led to a popular album, positive reviews, and box office success. Clearly, SISTER ACT has proven itself to be an audience favorite. In 2025, the Morgan-Wixson Theatre proudly presents SISTER ACT just in time for the advent of summer.

Michael Heimos and Kim Peterson – Photo by Joel Castro

The time is 1968, and the place is Reno, Nevada. Lounge singer Deloris (Kyrsten V. Williams) is performing in a club owned by Vince, her married gangster boyfriend. When she accidentally stumbles on Vince executing an informant – and she realizes that Vince doesn’t want any living witnesses – she goes to the police and is placed in the Witness Protection Program. When policeman Eddie Southers (Javon Willis) takes her to St. Katherine’s Parish to masquerade as a nun, she balks. This is nothing compared to the reaction of the Mother Superior (Kim Peterson), who wants nothing to do with “a fallen woman.” But life is preferable to death, and so both women reluctantly agree – especially with the strong encouragement of Monsignor O’Hara (Michael Heimos), who is eager to accept the police department’s very generous contribution to the economically challenged church. But what can this raucous, sensuous singer do in a convent? It seems that the church choir is a complete failure – one that the professional vocalist Deloris is sure that she can fix. And so Sister Mary Clarence embarks on the religious life. And the audience gets to sit back and enjoy the journey.

Kyrsten V. Williams and Javon Willis – Photo by Joel Castro

Skillfully helmed by Ruben Gabriel Hernandez with music direction by Jenny Chaney, SISTER ACT bursts with glorious music and clever lyrics in over a dozen rousing songs – and lots of sprightly choreographed moves courtesy of Meghan Ripchik. The ensemble cast does an excellent job of creating the perfect backdrop for the irrepressible Deloris. Kudos to Krysten V. Williams, who sings up a storm that has the audience sitting up and taking notice. This is a performer who holds the audience in the palm of her hand as she navigates the tale with joyous aplomb. This may just be the best musical production yet from the Morgan-Wixson Theatre.

Javon Willis and SISTER ACT cast – Photo by Joel Castro

SISTER ACT will certainly appeal to the audiences who were fortunate enough to see the film and/or the stage production in the past. But, by and large, this is a new and younger set at the Morgan-Wixson. If the show reviewed was any example, this crowd was also swept up in the music and gave a standing ovation to the cast at the end of the show. If you love musicals, you will be entranced and entertained by this reprisal of SISTER ACT. If you simply want to smile, hum along, and tap your toes, you’ll enjoy the show. SISTER ACT is the perfect place to be for pure summer fun with just a hint of a meaningful and thought-provoking message tucked inside.

Kyrsten V. Williams (center) and church choir – Photo by Joel Castro

SISTER ACT runs through July 27, 2025, with performances at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 p.m. on Sundays. The Morgan-Wixson Theatre is located at 2627 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90405. Tickets are $32 (seniors and military $28; students $25; group rates available). For Information and reservations, call 310-828-7519 or go online.