Starting Nov. 30, the Olds High School Drama Club will be performing the story of Sister Act at the TransCanada Theatre.
Sister Act is a musical adaptation of the 1992 Whoopi Goldberg comedy about a lounge singer who is forced to joint a convent after being placed in witness protection.
The Albertan sat down with three of the production's stars, Montana Durand, Mairin Woodruff and Anya Kelly to talk about the upcoming show, their characters and their experiences.
“I play Sister Mary Patrick; she’s very over the top and a very outgoing nun,” said Durand with a chuckle.
“I play Mother Superior who’s a very strict character,” Woodruff said. The role was played by Maggie Smith in the 1992 film.
Kelly plays Delores Wilson, a lounge singer who witnesses a murder committed by her mobster boyfriend and joins the convent to stay hidden until she can testify in court.
Durand says it’s important to look at the past performances of the same characters but also to focus on the material and the emotions in the written lines.
“You take into account what other people have done as well as putting your own spin on it,” Durand said.
“For me when I look at a script, you read more than just the words, you read between the lines and you just feel what that character is feeling,” said Kelly.
One aspect of this show that proved challenging at times is the comedy; getting the timing down to be most effective.
“In some parts it comes pretty natural, but in other parts it definitely requires some work to get it to where it needs to be,” said Kelly.
Olds High School drama teacher Rhonda West is the director of the play and it is her 17th production. West has been passionate about drama since she was in high school.
“It’s an interesting story, a very funny story and it has some really great, great music in it,” said West.
The show begins at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights, Nov. 30, Dec. 1, Dec. 7 and Dec. 8. On Sunday Dec. 2 and Dec. 9, it begins at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $20 and available at the high school office, or by calling 403-556-3391.
