By Mindy Pedlar
Hallelujah, it’s good to be a nun! So says our choir of superb actresses appearing as singing — and dancing — nuns in Cabrillo Stage’s production of the divinely inspired and irresistible musical SISTER ACT.
Deloris leads the choir of nuns while teaching them to sing. • Photos Credit: Bari Lee
Who isn’t a fan of the 1992 movie upon which our Sister Act is based?!? As the story goes, the sweet sisters love to sing, but their choir has become lackluster and frankly, it’s not always in tune.
What it needs is a miracle.
Enter Deloris, a less than saintly nightclub singer who, because she witnessed a crime, is placed in protective custody at the convent.
Having heard the choir, she leaps at the chance to share her musicality and teach these ladies how to sing from their hearts and souls! Watching the sisters of the convent of Queen of Angels Cathedral get their act together is sheer delight! And for those with memories of Catholic School, the opportunity to see singing and dancing nuns is not to be missed!
Deloris (Karriyma Pekary) rehearsing with her backup singers (From left: Melissa Martinez and Haley Clarke). • Photos Credit: Bari Lee
In the starring role of Deloris Van Cartier, is the remarkable Karriyma Pekary who played Vanessa in our 2024 production of In The Heights. She is joined by fellow In The Heights alums, Melissa Martinez who played Daniella to perfection and Sofia Rosas who so beautifully gave voice to Nina Rosario. Haley Clarke returns to grace our stage having played Johanna in last season’s Sweeney Todd as well as Sandy in 2022’s Grease.
Several of the nuns are making their Cabrillo Stage debuts including Tory Gordon who holds a master’s degree in Choral Conducting from the University of New Orleans and Kiki Lipsett who recently moved to Santa Cruz with a wealth of musical theatre experience.
Audience members may recognize Sandy Lewandowski who has been performing in and around our area for 45 years. I fondly recall her excellent comedic timing as Snail in Frog and Toad at Scotts Valley Performing Arts Center.
Come see this joyous musical. The sisters guarantee it will lift your spirits and touch your heart.
Jennifer Taylor Daniels as Mother Superior (right) and Karriyma Pekary as Deloris (center) lead the nuns in prayer. • Photo Credit: Bari Lee
Run dates are July 9 through Aug 2. All performances are at the Crocker Theater on the Cabrillo College campus, 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos. Thurs, Fri, and Sat evening at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.
Please note there is no performance on Thursday, July 16.
Box Office is open for phone and walk-up sales Thurs. thru Sat. 12 – 6 p.m. and 1 hour prior to each performance or call 831-479-6154.
Purchase tickets online at www.cabrillostage.com
TOP PHOTO: Karriyma Pekary as Deloris leading her singing nuns. Marcus Cato as Monsignor O’Hara observes. • Photo Credit: Bari Lee