Fenomenet Sister Act
Fenomenet Sister Act
Text: Mikal Vassbotn
Photos: Tovita Razzi and Anita S. Andersen
In the summer of 1992, the film *Sister Act* was released in the United States, starring Whoopi Goldberg as the nightclub singer Deloris Van Cartier. The heroine assumes a new identity and goes into hiding after witnessing a murder committed by her own boyfriend. She becomes Sister Mary Clarence and checks into a convent in San Francisco.
This absurd introduction sets the stage for what is one of the most popular comedies of the 1990s and the basis for musicals that continue to draw crowds to theaters around the world.
The 1992 "Sister Act" trailer
Work begins
Work on the film began as early as the 1980s, based on an idea by Paul Rudick. Disney quickly took an interest and began searching for actors who would be a good fit for the story. The lead role—that of Deloris, or Sister Mary—was played by none other than Bette Midler.
But wait a minute—isn’t Whoopi Goldberg playing the role of Sister Mary? That’s right; Midler dropped out partway through, explaining that she didn’t think fans would want to see her in a nun’s habit. She later states that she regrets the decision, especially when she sees Whoopi, who ends up getting the role, make a small fortune on films 1, 2, and soon 3—more on that in a moment.
It's hard to imagine anyone other than Whoopi Goldberg in the lead role in *Sister Act*
Many obstacles stand in the way of Sister Act
But, as we know, things always work out for good people.
A glitch in the system
The road from idea to box-office hit is not an easy one; at one point, screenwriter Rudic withdraws and refuses to have his name appear in the credits. When the credits roll across the white screen in Norwegian theaters, Rudic is credited as the screenwriter under the pseudonym Joseph Howard.
Princess Leia—or Carrie Fisher, as she is actually known—is helping to finalize the script. Fisher is no stranger to steering scripts back on track; she did the same for both *Lethal Weapon 3* and *The Wedding Singer*.
Anyway, back to *Sister Act*. The lead actress has her doubts about the whole project and tries to distance herself from the film. After its release, the story is well known: The film is a huge success, Whoopi takes it to her heart, and shortly thereafter, a sequel is in the works.
Commercial success
The film was a smash hit in theaters and later as a rental video, both on VHS and streaming services. There is talk of turning the project into a musical. In 2006, the musical premieres at the Pasadena Playhouse in California and breaks all previous attendance records. Over a three-month run, the musical rakes in over a million dollars! Three years later, the show is staged at the West End Theatre in London, with Whoopi herself as one of the producers.
VHS tapes in the rental market often had a note saying "Rewind before returning."
From the West End to Broadway
Building on its success in London, it wasn’t long before Broadway took notice. The production received several Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical and Best Actor. From there, the musical *Sister Act* began to gain momentum, touring the United States, the United Kingdom, and the rest of the world.
Popular culture
There is no doubt that the movie *Sister Act* has influenced popular culture among those of us who can still handle VHS tapes from the 1990s. Perhaps more surprising is seeing the ripple effects of the musical. Between 2009 and 2011, a Sister Act Nun Run was even organized to coincide with the production and subsequent tour in London. The charity run brought together over 1,000 people in London, the vast majority of whom were dressed in nun’s habits! The musical is currently being staged once again in England, with a premiere scheduled for the new year. It is unclear whether more nun runs are planned.
We naturally hope that as many people as possible will show up in nun’s habits at Kilden.
Sister Act 3?
During an interview on *The Late Late Show with James Corden*, Whoopi Goldberg is asked the question we're all wondering: Why isn't *Sister Act 3* being made?
To everyone's surprise, Whoopi says that this is exactly what many people have been wondering, and strongly hints that the film has entered its initial phase. Two months later, Disney confirms that the project has been given the green light; all that remains now is a release date.
Sister Act at Kilden
If the wait feels too long and you’re itching to see dancing and singing nuns, luckily we at Kilden have Kilden for you. As early as March 31, Anna-Lisa Kumoji, Mia Gundersen, Ingeborg Walter, Tom Sterri, Kevin Mbugua, and others will take the stage at Kilden. What Aftenposten has described as a wildly joyful musical is coming to Southern Norway’s premier venue just before Easter begins.