Deloris Van Cartier, played by Donavan Price, second from right, sings with her sisters in LALO’s Sister Act, opening this weekend at Duane Smith Auditorium. Photo by Thomas Grave
By KELLY DOLEJSI
LALO’s Sister Act
“Outside, life’s a mess … here within these walls, life is sweet and good.”
So sings Mother Superior in the Los Alamos Light Opera’s (LALO) Sister Act, opening this weekend — and as usual, mother knows best. If life seems chaotic or difficult right now, this feel-good musical might be just the balm of Gilead you need.
Sister Act, based on the Touchstone Pictures Motion Picture Sister Act written by Joseph Howard, will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, March 20, 21, 27, and 28, with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, March 22, at Duane Smith Auditorium at Los Alamos High School, 1300 Diamond Drive.
Tickets at $25/$20 students and seniors are available at the door and online at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/
The show is directed and choreographed by Wendy Caldwell Lanchier, with musical direction from Gretchen Amstutz.
“Portraying Deloris is a great honor and privilege,” said Donavan Price, who plays Deloris Van Cartier in her LALO debut, a wannabe nightclub singer who walks in on her boyfriend Curtis (played by Michaelangelo Lovato — a debut for him as well) committing murder.
After Deloris tells the police what she witnessed, Officer Eddie Souther (played by Rod McCabe) hides this loud, vivacious Black woman in the most unlikely of places: a convent full of primarily White nuns.
“Sister Act represents inclusion, self-awareness, sisterhood, and love,” Price said. “All of which have been pivotal for my growth over the last few years. I’m ecstatic for the audience’s upcoming experience. The songs are intricately beautiful. The talent is sublime. The onstage chemistry is raw.”
At its core, the show is “a story of women supporting women and the power of creative self-expression, “ said Mitsi Pair Willard, who plays Mother Superior. “It’s also really funny.”
There are many shenanigans involving the gangsters who are trying to track down Deloris (played by Bryden Horner, Darryl Garcia, and Colin Kruse). Monsignor O’Hara (played by Collin McDowell) also has some laugh-out-loud lines.
Day Forgaard, who plays Sister Mary Robert, said they’ve loved this musical for many years.
“I find Sister Mary Robert’s story very moving, and I’ve been singing her songs since I was a teenager. I never thought I’d have the chance to actually play her,” Forgaard said.
Forgaard also loves that Sister Act is “a show about learning to be unapologetically yourself and finding friendship and community through that process.”
Caldwell Lanchier said she was inspired to propose Sister Act for the 2026 LALO show “because of this town’s unbelievably talented women. Our last big show, Matilda the Musical, gave our younger performers a chance to shine. This time, I really wanted to give the spotlight to our adult women. Of course, we can’t overlook the men who really add an extra layer of comedy and charisma to the stage.”
Caldwell Lanchier echoed what her performers said about the show’s heartwarming message.
“I loved the movie as a kid,” she said, “and the message is still universal: love, friendship, doing the right thing, learning from people who are different, and finding your people, even if they’re in unexpected places.”
Musical Theatre International rates the show PG, so “bring the family!” Caldwell Lanchier said. “In a time when so many people are suffering worldwide, spending a few hours in a disco-meets-church comedy is a much needed escape. Our final number, ‘Spread the Love Around,’ is so infectious that we are inviting our audience to get up and dance with us.”
The audience might end up agreeing with Sister Mary Robert when she sings, “I’m either a sister or nothing at all.”
Caldwell Lanchier said many of the Sister Act team have friends and family who cannot attend in person, so for the first time ever, LALO is live-streaming one of its performances — the March 22 matinee. Live-streaming the matinee gives all U.S. time zones a chance to see the show.
There are many well-known local actors in the cast, including Joy Reynolds as the effervescent Sister Mary Patrick, Heather Beemer and Claire Singleton alternating as Sister Mary Lazarus, Holly Robinson as Sister Mary Martin-of-Tours, Terry Beery as Sister Mary Theresa, Spring Smith as Michelle and Sister Mary MacDonald (and understudy for Mary Patrick), and Mary O’Brien as Tina and Sister Mary O’Kart.
Caldwell Lanchier complimented both her cast and the less visible members of the team: the crew and musicians.
“I couldn’t be prouder of our incredible cast, crew, and musicians,” she said. “Anya Seet’s lighting design will wow you. Our choir of nuns are performing some difficult music and making it look easy. They sound incredible. Our pit orchestra always brings their A game. Our music and assistant music director are wizards. I pity the fool who has to do a musical without them. Gretchen Amstutz and Nick Denissen deserve heaps of praise for their dedication to making the orchestra and vocals sound like professional work. Our actors and dancers bring characters to life in a way that you’ll love them all – even the bad guys.”
Pair Willard said, “It is a delight to get to create and perform with such talented and encouraging folks from our community!”
Price added, “Beloved friends of Los Alamos and all around New Mexico, come ready for a sensational performance!”
“Don’t wait until closing night to come for the first time,” Caldwell Lanchier said. “You’re going to want to see this one at least twice.”
The show includes music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Glenn Slater, book by Cheri Steinkellner and Bill Steinkellner, and additional mook Material by Douglas Carter Beane. It is performed courtesy of Music Theatre International.
Kelly Dolejsi is assistant director and assistant choreographer, as well as a performer, with Sister Act.