Why Alan Menken Wanted to Write an Original Sister Act Musical

When the award-winning musical Sister Act hits Sydney this week, audiences shouldn’t expect to hear the same tunes featured in the blockbuster movie it’s based on. Celebrated composer Alan Menken had other ideas for the stage adaptation.

Menken, a highly decorated composer with an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar (eight, to be precise), and Tony Award to his name, could have used the beloved music from the film. However, he chose to create an entirely original score for the musical. The film, released in 1992, was primarily filled with song parodies—existing hits given a humorous twist. Menken wanted a fresh approach, where the music genuinely told the story without relying on familiar songs.

 

 

Creating an original score was no easy task, even for an industry great like Menken. He took on the challenge with the core crew that first brought the production to life in California in 2006. The show later made its way to London’s West End and Broadway in New York, garnering both Laurence Olivier Award and Tony Award nominations.

The original film starred Whoopi Goldberg as Deloris Van Cartier, a lounge singer forced into hiding in a nunnery after witnessing a mob murder. In the Australian production, opening at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre on August 7, Australia’s Casey Donovan will take on the role of Deloris. Veteran actor Genevieve Lemon will play Mother Superior.

Menken’s vision for the musical involved much more than simply adapting the film’s plot. He aimed to refine the dramatic arc, enhancing elements that could be sung and making the audience fully invest in Deloris’s journey. The musical also features broader, more comedic portrayals of the villain and his sidekicks, along with playful nods to 1970s stylistic tropes. This is contrasted with the quiet, contemplative atmosphere of the convent, which Deloris disrupts with her lively presence.

The Sister Act musical score is vibrant and original, featuring songs like ‘Take Me to Heaven,’ ‘Fabulous Baby!,’ ‘Raise Your Voice,’ ‘Sunday Morning Fever,’ and ‘Sister Act.’ These tracks bring a fresh energy to the stage, allowing the story to unfold through music that enhances the narrative and emotional journey of the characters.

Here is a list of the main songs included in the Sister Act musical score:

1. Take Me to Heaven – Deloris and the Ronelles
2. Fabulous, Baby! – Deloris and the Ronelles
3. Here Within These Walls – Mother Superior
4. How I Got the Calling – Deloris, Eddie, TJ, Joey, Pablo, and Nuns
5. When I Find My Baby – Curtis, TJ, Joey, and Pablo
6. Do the Sacred Mass – Deloris and Nuns
7. I Could Be That Guy – Eddie
8. Raise Your Voice – Deloris and Nuns
9. Take Me to Heaven (Reprise) – Deloris and Nuns
10. Sunday Morning Fever – Deloris and Nuns
11. Lady in the Long Black Dress – TJ, Joey, and Pablo
12. Bless Our Show – Deloris and Nuns
13. The Life I Never Led – Sister Mary Robert
14. Fabulous, Baby! (Reprise) – Deloris and Nuns
15. Sister Act – Deloris
16. The Life I Never Led (Reprise) – Sister Mary Robert
17. Sister Act (Reprise) – Deloris and Nuns
18. Spread the Love Around – Full Company

The film, one of the most successful box office hits of the ’90s, featured iconic tracks like ‘Rescue Me,’ ‘Roll With Me Henry,’ ‘My Guy,’ ‘Shout,’ and ‘I Will Follow Him.’ On stage, the various productions have seen big names like Cynthia Erivo, Jennifer Saunders, Keala Settle, Raven Symone, and Alexandra Burke. Goldberg herself even took on the role of Mother Superior in the West End for a time.

 

 

Menken has high hopes for Donovan’s performance, having been impressed by her rendition of ‘This Is Me’ from The Greatest Showman. He believes in letting actors make their roles their own and is confident that Donovan will bring something special to Deloris.

Despite his numerous accolades and a prolific career working on everything from Little Shop of Horrors to The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Enchanted, and even Sesame Street, Menken remains down-to-earth. He cherishes his family life with his wife of 52 years, Janice Roswick, and their two daughters, more than the trappings of fame.

Menken prefers to stay behind the scenes, enjoying the advantages of his success without the constant glare of the spotlight. For him, the joy of creating music and working with great people outweighs the allure of red carpets and celebrity.

The upcoming production of Sister Act will star Casey Donovan, Genevieve Lemon, and Rhonda Burchmore, debuting in Adelaide in March 2025. Based on the iconic film starring Whoopi Goldberg, this musical features original music by Tony and 8-time Oscar award-winner Alan Menken (Disney’s Aladdin, Enchanted, The Little Mermaid). With songs inspired by Motown, soul, and disco, this heavenly musical is both joyous and uplifting. Sister Act has been nominated for five Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and has garnered six Olivier Award nominations across its original West End and revival seasons. The musical made a triumphant return to London’s West End in March 2024.

 

 

Casey Donovan will lead the cast as Deloris Van Cartier, the role made famous by Whoopi Goldberg in the hit film. Genevieve Lemon will play Mother Superior, and Rhonda Burchmore will take on the role of Sister Mary Lazarus. The story follows disco diva Deloris, whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a murder and is placed under protective custody in a convent. As she helps the struggling choir find their true voices, she unexpectedly rediscovers her own. The cast also includes Sophie Montague, Bianca Bruce, Raphael Wong, James Bryers, Damien Bermingham, Emma Powell, Sally Bourne, Jordan Angelides, Tom Struik, James Bell, Kayla Carter, Gabriyel Thomas, Theodore Williams, Patrick Volpe, Jake Ameduri, Simon Fairweather, Elenor Smith Adams, Cara Bessey, and Melanie Bird. Casey Donovan, a multi-award-winning artist, has starred in numerous theatrical productions, including The Sapphires, Rent, We Will Rock You, Chicago, 9 TO 5 The Musical, and & Juliet.

 

 

Photo Credit: DepositPhotos.com

The first Australian production of Sister Act opens at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre on August 7.

Tickets are also on sale for the Brisbane and Melbourne seasons now HERE.