The Fox Country Players, in partnership with Waubonsee Community College’s Community Education, welcome “Sister Act” to the Waubonsee Auditorium stage next month.
The show runs October 14 and 15 at 7 p.m. and October 16 at 2 p.m. at the Waubonsee Community College Auditorium, Sugar Grove Campus, Route 47 and Waubonsee Drive. The musical comedy is based on the hit 1992 movie by the same name, and features music by Tony and Oscar winning composer Alan Menken.
The musical was nominated for five Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Fox Country Players, founded in 1979, is a community theatre group based out of Yorkville that is dedicated to excellence in theatre education and performance in the Fox Valley Community.
Director AnnaMarie Ahonen said the popularity of the movie helped draw cast and crew members from far and wide, which she said is unique for the local theater group.
“One of the most unique things is that we have people from all over,” she said. “Our leading lady is from the south side of Chicago and others are from as far east as Park Forest and Oak Park. It’s a wonderful mix of people who have been on stage before, for some it’s been many years while others just finished a show.”
Ahonen said she too was drawn to direct the musical based on her love of the movie.
“’Sister Act,’ the movie, was s special bonding moment for my mom and me shortly before she passed away,” she said. “And I’d say that 95 percent of the cast had seen the movie at some point.”
A strong contingent of Waubonsee faculty, students and staff are also involved in the production. Cast members from the college include: Loretta Malley, Karen Pieper, Laura Bartoszek, Linda Luxion, Annemarie Duncan, William Sitton and Nicole Baker.
Ahonen said one of her favorite things about directing community theater is watching generations interact on stage together. This cast includes 36 members, with the youngest being a junior in high school and several are in their sixties. There are 10 crew members.
“We also have a few families who are on stage together,” she said. Tickets are available online at www.waubonseetickets.com
