You may remember that about a year ago my husband and I had a disaster of a date night. Well, after being separate for about 8 months and tending to our “date night wounds” we are at it again.

Maybe I am still not 100% on date night etiquette, however, because the first half of this post is being written from inside of the spectacular Ed Mirvish Theatre. It has the old feeling of the original theatres – makes you feel like you could turn around and see a couple walking down the aisle in a parasol and complete Victorian garb (wouldn’t that be awesome?!). Surrounded by the plush velvet reds, glitzy golds and elegant deep blues and greens, coupled with the extravagant carvings and mouldings, I am in my element and completely happy waiting for Sister Act to start.

It completely makes up for the little snafoo earlier at dinner (Joey’s at Eaton Centre, who I have to say we’re very good at making up for their mistake…) and almost solves the gaping, empty hole that has been in my heart from the moment I heard the plans to demolish the Princess of Wales theatre in order to build new condominiums in the entertainment district.

Oh it’s about to start…will let you know what I think in a moment….

So now that I have seen the production I have to say that it was just okay. The performers were amazing, when I closed my eyes and listened, I still get the goosebumps that amazing music and strong vocals tends to give me – but the production itself was just mediocre – I understand that they were under pressure to come up with something as spectacular or better than the movie, but I think this pressure made them try a little too hard.

That being said, some of the solos were spectacular, especially the Mother Superior’s solo in the first half, Dolores’ solo when she was struggling with her conscience about which path to take with her life, “Sweat Eddy’s” solo where he sang about being geeky all his life and his longing to be the “man” were SPECTACULAR! (Especially Eddy changing from his uniform to ‘cool dude’ clothing in a split second ON STAGE – how did they DO that?!).

Also awesome was the piece when the three goons were trying to prove to each other how much better they were than the others at wooing a woman….that was just hilarious. I loved it. And I loved the Latino goon – hilarious…stereotypical..but hilarious (and strangely sexy for some reason…).

What I disagreed with was that the stage show chose to base the performance in the ’70s and therefore made the whole production based on old disco and R & B music. In itself it may have been a successful idea, and did add a humorous air to the story (not to mention the seriously fun and sexy jumpsuits on some of the women!), but I think the glitzed it up a little TOO much. That being said, the lighting was bang on for what they were trying to achieve!!!

In the movie, they celebrated music and proved that church does not HAVE to be as somber and boring, without compromising the solemnity of the church, the faith or those amazing women who have dedicated themselves to The Lord. In the stage production, I believe (and maybe it is the conservative Catholic in me) that they went too far when they glitzed up the nuns’ habits with silver, purple and hold lamé…and I think they were downright insulting when they covered the image of Mother Mary in silver leaf.

A little more consideration to the church and the faith would have been appreciated (by me anyways).

All in all, Sister Act was not the best production I have ever been to….but it was not as expensive as some other shows, so may be a good choice for last minute entertainment. I would not choose to go see it a second time, however because of it being a mediocre production, insulting religious symbolism and the obvious ‘trying too hard’ presentation.

I did not recieve any payment or products for this post – but regardless I would have written my honest opinion whether I had or not.