Sister Act musical reworked for older actor as new tour announced

Brenda Edwards is to star in a reworked version of the musical Sister Act, which sees the lead role of Deloris Van Cartier rewritten for an older actor.

The musical will open at Curve in Leicester on April 21, 2020, and will play there until May 2, ahead of a tour and a planned London run.

It is produced by Jamie Wilson, who said the show was a “new version” of the musical, with the lead role – played by Whoopi Goldberg in the film – reworked for an older performer.

Goldberg, who is co-producing, said: “Deloris is a big fun character with lots of personality. Brenda auditioned for this show when it first happened in the UK and didn’t get the part because she was too old, so we’ve rectified that. Previous versions have had Deloris as a 23-year-old – but there are different stakes when you’re older. You can be much more irreverent when you’re older than you can be when you’re in your twenties and thirties. Time makes you funnier. I really am so thrilled Sister Act is coming back to the UK in 2020 with this new version”.

Goldberg previously appeared in a West End production, playing Mother Superior.

The show has music by Alan Menken, with lyrics by Glenn Slater and a book by Bill and Cheri Steinkellner, with additional material by Douglas Carter Beane.

Edwards’ credits include We Will Rock You, Chicago and Hairspray.