(EXPERIENCE MAGAZINE) — LOS ANGELES, CA — (APR 19, 2019) The CASA 0101 Theater, TNH Productions, El Centro Del Pueblo and Riboli Family of San Antonio Winery In Association with Behind The Mask Inc. had the opening night for SISTER ACT, the Musical. Directed by Rigo Tejeda, this Tony Award nominated show is based on the 1992 Touchstone Pictures hit film of the same name. Rigo told me that they stick to the script and don’t miss one word. Sister Act features music written by eight-time Academy Award winning composer, Alan Menken and lyrics by Glenn Slater. The Experience Magazine sent our top Events Photographer, Ellen Zuckerman, to cover the event.
This production is so much fun. The cast really seems to enjoy themeselves portraying these zanny charaters and singing their hearts out to Jesus. The jokes are funny, the cast members can sing, they can dance and its a great way to spend an evening. Director Rigo Tejeda said, “Our spirited production of SISTER ACT, the Musical, will bring joy and laughter to all who come to see the show. Our divine cast will raise the roof nightly and keep toes tapping as audiences witness nightclub singer, Deloris Van Cartier’s adventurous antics in her newfound home, a nunnery.”
Josefina López said, “This production also celebrates women, power, and sisterhood with a predominantly female cast and females in production positions as Musical Director, Choreographer, Costumer Designer and Set and Projections Designer.”
SISTER ACT, the Musical, tells the story of Deloris Van Cartier, a disco nightclub diva, who witnesses a murder committed by her mobster boyfriend, Curtis Jackson, after which Deloris is placed in a witness protective program in a convent under the custody of the local police department. Comedy ensues as Deloris dons a nun’s habit to go undercover as “Sister Mary Clarence,” while attempting to acclimate herself into her new lifestyle in a convent. The production is a lot of fun and the actors all do a fine job of singing, telling this crazy story and creating a wonderful performance.
There were so many sponsors that help put this production together. CASA 0101 Theater’s sponsors include: The California Endowment, the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, The Herb Alpert Foundation, The City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department and The Parsons Foundation. This production of SISTER ACT, the Musical, is sponsored, in part by the Riboli Family of San Antonio Winery; Los Angeles Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, Second District; Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis, 1st District; California State Senator Maria Elena Durazo, District 24; Los Angeles City Councilmember José Huizar, 14th District; CASA Fina Restaurant & Cantina; and MASA of Echo Park Bakery & Café.
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Under the direction of Rigo Tejeda, Jacquelin Lorraine Schofield (of Sherman Oaks) leads the cast of 20 as (Deloris Van Cartier/Sister Mary Clarence). The cast also includes: Beverly Crain (of Los Angeles) as Mother Superior; Samantha M. Lawrence (of Glendale) as Sister Mary Robert; Omar Mata (of El Monte) as Monsignor O’Hara; Marco Infante (of Studio City) as Curtis Jackson; Caleb Green (of Santa Ana) as Eddie Souther; Matthew Noah (of Lincoln Heights) as TJ; Jason Biyo (of Los Angeles) as Joey; Gil Garcia (of Los Angeles) as Pablo; Dorrie Braun (of Pacific Palisades) as Sister Mary Lazarus; Brianna Bonilla (of Los Angeles) as Sister Mary Patrick; Sarah Garcia (of Los Angeles) as Sister Mary Martin-of-Tours;
Megan Frances (of Leimert Park) as Sister Mary Theresa; Chrissi Erickson (of Leimert Park) as Tina/Nun/Homeless/Fantasy Dancer); Laura Altenor (of Los Angeles) as Michelle/Nun/Homeless/Fantasy Dancer/Deloris Van Cartier Understudy);
Michael Gallardo (of Los Angeles) as Ernie/Drag Queen/Ensemble/Homeless/Cab Driver/Fantasy Dancer/Altar Boy); Alejandro Lechuga (of Los Angeles) as Cop/Reporter/Ensemble/Homeless/Fantasy Dancer/Altar Boy); Shanelle Garcia (of Los Angeles) as Nun/Hooker; Daniela Santi (of Los Angeles) as Nun/Hooker/Homeless/Bar Waitress/Fantasy Dancer/Michelle Understudy); and Leilah Telon (of South Central) as Nun/Bar Patron/Homeless/Fantasy Dancer). Sebastian Gonzalez (of Boyle Heights) serves as Rehearsal Stand In, but is not in the show.
The production team for SISTER ACT, the Musical includes:Josefina López (of Silverlake) Founding Artistic Director, CASA 0101 Theater; Rigo Tejeda (of Whittier) Director of the Musical and Founding Artistic Director, TNH Productions; Abel Alvarado (of Silverlake) Producing Artistic Director, TNH Productions; Emmanuel Deleage (of Silverlake) Show Producer and Executive Director, CASA 0101 Theater; Edward Padilla (of Boyle Heights) Show Producer, Casting Director and Board President, CASA 0101 Theater; Conrado TerrazasCross (of Echo Park) Show Executive Producer and Chief Financial Officer for TNH Productions;
Felipe Agredano (of Boyle Heights) Show Producer and Government Relations Director for TNH Productions; El Centro Del Pueblo, Show Producer; Gabrielle Maldonado (of Lakewood) Music Director; Tania Possick (of Los Angeles) Choreographer; Effy Yang (of Los Angeles) Set and Projections Designer; Kevin Vasquez (of Los Angeles) Lighting Designer; Joshua Cardenas (of Los Angeles) Sound Designer;
Marielena Covarrubias (of Whittier) Costumer Designer; Sujey Gonzalez (of Los Angeles) Wardrobe Supervisor; Angel Estrada (of Los Angeles) Prop Master; Jerry A. Blackburn (of Winnetka) Production Stage Manager; Genesis Miramontes (of Los Angeles) Production Assistant to Production Stage Manager; Andrew Ortega (of Los Angeles) Stage Manager; JP (John Paul) Torres (of Los Angeles) Assistant Stage Manager; Hiram Lopez (of Whittier) Sound Mixer; Dazhane Semus (of Los Angeles) Stagehand; Vincent A. Sanchez (of Commerce) CASA 0101 Technical Director and Facilities Manager; Mark Kraus (of Boyle Heights) CASA 0101 Theater Development Director and Anaith Indjeian (of Los Angeles) Pre-Production Photographer and CASA 0101 Theater Administrator.
Sister Act has a five-week run from April 19th – May 19th 2019. The performance schedule is Fridays at 8:00 p.m., Saturdays at 2:00 p.m.and 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 4:00 p.m. There will be no performance on Saturday, May 18th at 2:00 p.m. For tickets, call the Box Office at 818.263.7684 or buy online at Casa 0101. This musical is a lot of fun. Please come out to Boyle Heights to support local theater and have a few laughs.
