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Off the Couch: 'Sister Act' brings comic disorder to Chattanooga Theatre Centre stageForming habits: How costume designers create nuns' clothes
Everyone from mobsters to nuns and saints to sinners parades across the stage in "Sister Act, A Divine Musical," opening the Chattanooga Theatre Centre's 92nd season.
The Broadway adaptation of the 1992 hit movie offers plenty of fun for the entire family. Director/choreographer Scott Dunlap and musical director Tim Hinck lead this company of 26 enthusiastic performers, including nine making their CTC debuts.
The stage design takes the audience from street to steeple, per the direction of Melissa Moon McCollum. Costumes, designed by Dunlap, reflect the drabness of what life can be until the "light" shines forth, bringing glitz and glamour to all.
Dunlap not only designed and constructed 17 traditional habits, but also 17 more glittering, Vegas showgirl versions. He also had to come up with costumes that reflected the show's 1970s era, and as usual, he did so with style and flair.
"Sister Act" is the story of a mobster's girlfriend who witnesses a crime and is hidden inside a convent until the trial. Not content with living there quietly, she interacts with the nuns, greatly disrupting their lives, which makes for lots of laughs.
Kimberly Johnson makes her CTC debut in the leading role of raucous singer Deloris Van Cartier, who poses as Sister Mary Clarence while hiding out at the convent. Johnson shows a capability to perform with great poise. She flows with the role and genuinely shows her enjoyment in the development of her character as she brings that vivacious glitz to the stage.
Garrett Henson, appearing as the goon TJ, makes a valuable contribution to the cast. A CTC veteran, Henson seems to relish the role, and he certainly walks and talks the part. He is extremely comical in his characterization.
With such a talented cast, it is difficult to go without mentioning the outstanding escapades of Beth Gumnick in her role as Mother Superior and Jeff Hill as Monsignor O'Hara. Both Gumnick and Hill reflect the talent and professionalism existing in the family of CTC performers.
The Sister Act Band notes praise since it provides toe-tapping accompaniment in this musical celebration of an upbeat score covering genres from Motown to gospel.
A few technical glitches with the sound did not affect the outcome of this fun-filled show for all ages.
The production continues through Oct. 4.
Contact Debbie Hale at Life@timesfreepress.com.