WaterTower Theatre Announces Cast & Creative Details for Sister Act

Addison (TX) – WaterTower Theatre Producing Artistic Director Shane Peterman today announced casting and creative details for Sister Act.

WaterTower Theatre kicks off its 24th Season with Sister Act, which will run October 24 - November 10, 2019 on the Terry Martin Main Stage at the Addison Theatre Centre. This hilarious musical comedy based on the hit film starring Whoopi Goldberg features music by Tony Award and 8-time Oscar Award winner Alan Menken, lyrics by Glenn Slater, and a book by Emmy and Golden Globe winning duo Cheri and Bill Steinkellner. The story follows Deloris Van Cartier, a wannabe diva whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a crime and is forced to hide in the last place anyone would think to look - a convent! Under the suspicious watch of Mother Superior, Deloris helps her fellow sisters find their voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own. This sparkling musical comedy was nominated for five Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

WaterTower Theatre’s production is directed by Cheryl Denson, music directed by Adam C. Wright, and choreographed by Kellie Carroll. The production stars Cherish Robinson as Deloris Van Cartier, Mary Tiner as Mother Superior, Laura Lyman Payne as Sister Mary Robert, Caitlyn Polson as Sister Mary Patrick, Laurel Collins as Sister Mary Lazarus, Chance Harmon as Monsignor O'Hara, John Avant III as Curtis, Jamall Houston as Eddie Souther, Sheridan Monroe as TJ, Bryson Petersen as Joey, Gustavo Perez Diaz as Pablo, Ivy Opdyke as Sister Mary Martin-of-Tours, Laura Yancey as Sister Mary Theresa, Ashley Waddy as Michelle, Cleo Lissade as Tina, and Gabriel Ethridge as Ernie. The ensemble includes Branden A. Bailey, Jeremy Davis, Thi Le, Ursula Villarreal, Margaret Vogel, and Crystal Williams.

The orchestra includes Adam C Wright (Conductor/Keyboard), Kevin Gunter (Synthesizer), Rick Norman (Bass), Michael Ptacin (Percussion), Aaron Sutton (Guitar), Michael Dill (Wind Synth), Chad Ostermiller (Reeds), Carlos Strudwick (Trumpet), and Paul Birk (Trombone).

The creative team also includes Ryan Matthieu Smith as Costume/Wig Designer, Jason Lynch as Lighting Designer, Mark Howard as Sound Designer/Sound Mixer, Jane Quetin as Properties Designer, Donna Marquet as Scenic Designer, Hillary Collazo Abbott as Production Stage Manager, and Jessica Updike as Assistant Stage Manager.

WaterTower Theatre’s 2019-2020 Season Sponsor is the Town of Addison.

About Sister Act

After witnessing a murder, disco diva, Deloris Van Cartier, is put in protective custody in the one place the cops are sure she won't be found: a convent! Finding herself at odds with a rigid lifestyle and the uptight Mother Superior, Deloris uses her unique flair and singing talent to inspire the choir, breathing new life into the church and community. In doing so, however, she blows her cover and soon her gangster boyfriend and his cronies are giving chase. But little do they know that they’re about to find themselves up against the power of Deloris’ newfound sisterhood. Filled with Motown, disco and gospel inspired music, outrageous dancing, and a truly moving story, Sister Act will have you REJOICING in the power of sisterhood!

About the Cast of Sister Act

Cherish Robinson (Deloris Van Cartier) is a multi-hyphenate musician, singer, and actor. She recently composed, music directed, and starred in SOLSTICE at Theater Three. BroadwayWorld (Dallas) hailed her as one of DFWs ‘Fresh Faces of 2017’. Robinson was recently seen on The Colbert Show and Austin City Limits with Elle King— vocally producing and serving as a background vocalist for several songs reaching number one on the Billboard charts. Sharing her love of theater arts to others is a passion. She is a sought after vocal coach and mentor to youth and adults throughout DFW. www.cherishloverobinson.com

Mary Tiner (Mother Superior) is making her WaterTower Theatre debut. She has performed for many theatres in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. Some of her favorite roles include Mrs. Toothe, Everything in the Garden, Rover Dramawerks; Madame Arcati, Blithe Spirit , The Stolen Shakespeare Guild; Aunt March, Little Women the Musical , Contemporary Theatre of Dallas; Abby Brewster, Arsenic and Old Lace , Pocket Sandwich Theatre; Mary Herries, Kind Lady , ICT Mainstage; Mrs. Boyle, The Mousetrap ,Garland Civic Theatre; Betty Meeks, The Foreigner, Theatre Frisco; and Ouiser, Steel Magnolias, Allen’s Community Theatre.

John Avant III (Curtis Jackson) is honored to be making his WaterTower Theatre debut with this phenomenal show, cast, and crew! Favorite credits include: (Dr. Sanson Carrasco/The Knight of Mirrors) Man of La Mancha, (Issachar & Judah) Joseph and the Amazing Techniocolor Dreamcoat, (Frank-n-Furter & Riff-Raff) The Rocky Horror Show, (Berger) Hair, (Haemon) Antigone, & (Billy Bibbit) One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. John earned his degree from Marymount Manhattan College and also trained at the The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Steps on Broadway, & Broadway Dance Center.

Jamall Houston (Eddie Souther) is excited to return to WaterTower Theatre! He is an award-winning singer, actor, and songwriter from Dallas, Texas. Favorite credits: Godspell at WaterTower Theater, Henry in the regional premiere of The First Noel at Jubilee Theatre, Curtis Jackson in Sister Act: The Musical at Mainstage Irving, Delray in Memphis at GLCT, Nat in The Birds at Theatre Three, Man 1 in Songs For A New World at NTPA. Phil 4:11-13 IG: @justjamall

Laura Lyman Payne (Sister Mary Robert) is thrilled to be back at WaterTower after starring is Josephine "Jo" Monaghan in The Ballad of Little Jo this June. Other REGIONAL CREDITS include: Matilda, The Musical (Miss Honey), ZACH Theatre; ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas (Mary Midkiff), Casa Manana Theatre; Dark Room, Bridge Rep; My Fair Lady, Garland Summer Musicals; Beowulf (Warrior), Trinity Repertory Company. ADDITIONAL CREDITS: Anna Karenina (Anna), Notch Theater (workshop); Side Show (Daisy Hilton) and Our Country's Good, Brown/Trinity Rep. Laura received her MFA in Acting from Brown University/Trinity Rep. www.lauralymanpayne.com; @lauraly_payne

Sister Act Performance details:

In the Terry Martin Main Stage at the Addison Theatre Centre

Show Run Dates: October 24 - November 10, 2019

Preview: Thursday, October 24, 2019 at 7:30pm

Opening night: Friday, October 25, 2019 at 8:00pm

Performances:

Wednesdays & Thursdays: 7:30 p.m.
Fridays & Saturdays: 8:00 p.m.
Sundays: 2:00 p.m.

Ticket Prices:

Single Tickets - $38
*Student and Industry discounts available
*Subscribers always get discounts!

How/Where to Buy Tickets:

Online: www.watertowertheatre.org
By Phone: 972.450.6232
Or In-person: WaterTower Theatre at the Addison Theatre Centre 15650 Addison Road, Addison, TX 75001

Fax: 972.450.6244 Email: boxoffice@watertowertheatre.org

Box Office Hours

Performance Weeks:
Tuesday-Saturday Noon - 6 p.m.
Closed Sunday-Monday

Non-Performance Weeks:
Tuesday-Friday Noon - 6 p.m.
Closed Saturday-Monday
Please note: The Box Office opens one hour before show time on performance days and remains open through intermission.

About WaterTower Theatre

Founded in 1996, WaterTower Theatre (WTT) is one of Texas' leading professional theatre companies and one of the flagship arts institutions in North Texas, having played an important role as a leader in developing new talent and encouraging the growth of the DFW artistic community through its commitment to hiring local artists. WaterTower Theatre is consistently recognized for its artistic excellence by the Dallas Theatre League, DFW Theatre Critics Forum, The Dallas Morning News, The Dallas Observer, D Magazine, The Column, and The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, among others. WaterTower Theatre has a subscription base of more than 2,000 subscribers and serves an audience of over 24,000 patrons annually.

WaterTower Theatre is 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. WaterTower Theatre relies on its ticket income and generous donations from individuals, corporations, foundations, and government organizations to produce world-class live professional theatre and to offer community engagement and arts education programs. WaterTower Theatre gratefully acknowledges the support of the Town of Addison, The Shubert Foundation, TACA, Texas Commission on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. WaterTower Theatre’s 2019-2020 Season is also supported, in part, through the generosity of its many supporters including civic, corporate, and foundation donors AMLI Residential Addison, FASTSIGNS Carrollton, ONCOR, and individual donors Don and Barbara Daseke, The Bob Downs Family, Stan Graner and Jim McBride, Phillip and Janeva Longacre, Kathy Messina and Gary Goodwin, Janiece and Jimmy Niemann, Karol Omlor, Jack and Libby Swindle, Deborah and Craig Sutton, and Ron and Donna Whitehead.

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