The Stage

Goldberg to stage Sister Act in West End

Published Friday 14 November 2008 at 11:40 by Lalayn Baluch

Hollywood actress Whoopi Goldberg is to produce the West End stage version of her 1992 hit film Sister Act.

The show, created in partnership with Stage Entertainment, will receive its UK premiere on June 2 at the London Palladium - currently home to Andrew Lloyd Webber show The Sound of Music.

The production will feature a score by eight-time Oscar winning composer Alan Menken, who has created songs for Disney hits including The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin, with lyrics by his long-time collaborator Glenn Slater.

Goldberg commented: “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 what is happening. The stage version of the show is fresh and new and I’m beyond thrilled to be part of it.”

Sister Act tells the story of a singer, Deloris, who police hide in a convent after she witnesses a mob crime. The musical version was first staged at the Pasadena Playhouse in California in 2006.

Joop Van Den Ende, supervisory board president of Stage Entertainment, added: “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.”