‘Sister Act: The Musical’ a joyously good show

Getting ready to wrap up its brief stint at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center, Sister Act: The Musical does not have a single problem with leaving its joyous impression on all who attend. Based on the popular 90s comedy starring Whoopi Goldberg, the play follows Deloris Van Cartier, an aspiring singer who is whisked away to a church for a unique form of witness protection after she witnesses a rotten mobster commit a crime. While in hiding with a caring group of nuns, Cartier must to get used to her new surroundings, a challenge that increases when she is tasked to help the vocally-lacking ladies of the church’s choir. The musical eschews some of the pitfalls that cause other screen-to-stage adaptations to flounder. The musical numbers nicely compliment the storyline, the vocal ensemble is top-notch (hearing Hollis Resnik’s Mother Superior belt “Here Within These Walls” is an easy standout) and the humor actually works. However, the show rests solely on the performance of Ta’Rea Campbell as Cartier, and Campbell does not disappoint. She gets plenty of moments to showcase her immensely talented singing (listen in for “Sister Act,” a show-stopper in every sense of the phrase), but it’s her comedic timing that really impresses. Campbell and Resnik’s back-and-forth makes for some of the sharpest moments in the play. The fellow nuns all contribute greatly to the play’s success,  and Chester Gregory earns a special nod for his take on the dedicated cop Eddie Souther, whose standalone number “I Could Be That Guy” might just be the highlight of the entire show. Overall, the musical is a triumphant reminder that...