|PIC1|Whoopi Goldberg and Stage Entertainment have announced plans to produce the stage premiere of Sister Act, a divine new musical comedy based on the international hit movie.

The show will open at the home of family entertainment, the London Palladium, on Tuesday 2 June 2009, with previews from May 6.

When disco diva Deloris Van Cartier witnesses a murder, she is put in protective custody in the one place the cops are sure she won't be found - a convent! Disguised as a nun she quickly finds fans amongst her fellow ‘sisters’ but makes the wrong impression on the convent’s strict Mother Superior. When she turns her attention to the convent’s off-key choir, helping the nuns to find their true voices and breathing new life into the rundown neighbourhood, her cover could be blown for good. The gang give chase but underestimate the power of her new found sisterhood.

Sister Act features a score by Alan Menken, eight-time Oscar winner and the genius behind many of the world famous songs from Disney’s movies, including The Little Mermaid, Beauty & The Beast, Aladdin and Enchanted, with lyrics from his long time collaborator, Glenn Slater. The book is by the award-winning team, Cheri and Bill Steinkellner, whose writing credits include the classic television comedy Cheers, and the production is directed by Peter Schneider.

Whoopi Goldberg said, “If you are fortunate enough to be a part of something wonderful, I feel it's important to pass the baton. The best way for me to be a part of this new incarnation of Sister Act is to make sure everyone knows it's happening. The stage version of the show is fresh and new and I'm beyond thrilled to be part of it.”

Joop Van Den Ende, president of the supervisory board of Stage Entertainment, said: “I am delighted to be working with Whoopi to bring Sister Act to the historic London Palladium. I have long admired her work and, as a theatrical producer, have wanted to bring Deloris, one of her classic roles, to the stage for a long, long time.

"With the whole Stage Entertainment group focused on next summer's opening, we cannot wait to get working with our world class creative team on this unique and exciting project."

Whoopi Goldberg is among the most well-known performers around the world. She shot to international fame with her Oscar-nominated performance in Steven Spielberg’s The Color Purple, before embarking on a prolific Hollywood career with films such as Jumpin’ Jack Flash, Soapdish, The Lion King, How Stella Got Her Groove Back and, of course, Sister Act and its sequel.

She has had success in virtually every area of entertainment, from film and television, to stage and recording, to radio host and best-selling author. She won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Ghost in 1991 and is one of a very elite group of artists who has also won the Grammy, the Golden Globe, the Emmy and, as Producer of the original Broadway production of Thoroughly Modern Millie in 2002, a Tony Award. She is currently moderator of the award-winning daytime talk show The View in the US.

The Sister Act creative team is completed by Musical Supervisor Michael Kosarin, Choreographer Anthony Van Laast, Set Designer Klara Zieglerova, Costume Designer Lez Brotherston, Sound Designer Mick Potter, Lighting Designer Natasha Katz and Musical Director Nick Skilbeck. Casting is underway and full details will be announced in the new year.

Founded by Joop Van Den Ende, Stage Entertainment is one of Europe’s largest theatrical producers and venue operators. UK theatrical credits include Hairspray, Disney’s High School Musical, Strictly Come Dancing Live!, Saturday Night Fever and Fame.


On the web: www.sisteractthemusical.com