Stage West Shines with a Soul-Shaking, Sparkle Drenched Sister Act

Stage West’s latest production is a joyful explosion of colour, comedy, and choir robes, as the Calgary dinner theatre takes on the beloved musical Sister Act—the Broadway adaptation of the hit 1992 film starring Whoopi Goldberg. With music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Glenn Slater, the stage version trades the movie’s Motown soundtrack for disco-infused original numbers, and Stage West embraces that shift with infectious energy.
For those new to the story, Sister Act follows nightclub singer Deloris Van Cartier, who accidentally witnesses her gangster boyfriend commit a murder. Placed in protective custody, she’s hidden in the last place anyone would think to look—a quiet convent overseen by a stern Mother Superior. Deloris’ vibrant personality collides with the convent’s disciplined routine, until she’s drafted into the struggling church choir and—quite literally—sets the place shaking. As her choir blossoms into a sensation, Deloris’ past comes knocking, and the sisters must band together to protect one of their own.
Stage West’s production fires on all cylinders. Ocean Williams, making her Stage West debut as Deloris, is a magnetic force with powerhouse vocals and razor-sharp comedic timing. She commands the stage from the first note, and her chemistry with both the ensemble and the soulful Sister Mary Robert creates some of the musical’s most memorable moments. The supporting cast shines with remarkable consistency, delivering Menken’s score with vocal range and emotional punch. The ensemble, often overlooked in big productions, is anything but background—every performer brings personality, precision, and heart.
Visually, Stage West has pulled off one of its most impressive designs in recent seasons. The set transitions are smooth and bold, using dynamic lighting to echo both disco halls and sacred spaces. The costuming is a show unto itself: glittering habits, shimmering gowns, and rapid-fire quick-changes that seem to defy physics. One mid-number costume transformation, pulled off twice in under a minute, earned an audible gasp from the audience.
As always, the Stage West dinner-theatre experience adds to the evening—excellent buffet selections, attentive service, and a comfortable space designed for laughing, singing, and cheering along.
If you’re searching for a night of uplifting music, big laughs, and pure theatrical joy, Sister Act delivers in heavenly harmony. Stage West’s production is polished, heartfelt, and outrageously fun—a celebration of sisterhood wrapped in sequins and soul.
Catch it before it closes February 1st.