Pasadena Playhouse, California — October 2006

The musical received its world premiere at the Pasadena Playhouse in Pasadena, California, opening on 24 October 2006 and running until 23 December 2006. The production was directed by Peter Schneider, with set design by David Potts, costumes by Garry Lennon, lighting by Donald Holder, and sound by Carl Casella and Dominick Sack.

The role of Deloris Van Cartier was originated in the musical by Dawnn Lewis. A young Patina Miller — who would go on to become the West End’s original Deloris — appeared in the ensemble and served as understudy for the lead. The production broke box-office records at the Pasadena Playhouse, grossing over $1,085,929 to become the highest-grossing show in the venue’s history at that time.

Critical response was broadly enthusiastic. The Los Angeles Times noted the show had “Broadway blockbuster written all over it,” while The Hollywood Reporter described it as “hugely entertaining… likely to become a classic.”

Alliance Theatre, Atlanta, Georgia — January–February 2007

The production then transferred to the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia, running from 17 January to 25 February 2007. Dawnn Lewis continued in the role of Deloris, alongside Elizabeth Ward Land as the Mother Superior, Harrison White as Curtis, and Beth Malone as Sister Mary Robert. The Atlanta engagement allowed the creative team to further develop the book and score ahead of a hoped-for West End and Broadway transfer.

Opening Night: 2 June 2009 · Previews from 7 May 2009

Following a year-long international search for its leading lady, Sister Act: A Divine Musical Comedy opened on the West End at the iconic London Palladium on 2 June 2009, produced by Stage Entertainment and Whoopi Goldberg. The production was directed by Peter Schneider and choreographed by Anthony Van Laast, with set design by Klara Zieglerova, costumes by Lez Brotherston, and lighting by Natasha Katz.

Original West End Cast

Patina Miller — who had understudied the role in Pasadena — was cast as Deloris Van Cartier, with beloved British actress Sheila Hancock as the Mother Superior, Ian Lavender as Monsignor Howard, Chris Jarman as Shank, Ako Mitchell as Eddie, Katie Rowley Jones as Sister Mary Robert, Claire Greenway as Sister Mary Patrick, and Julia Sutton (later replaced by Jacqueline Clarke) as Sister Mary Lazarus.

Cast Changes & Closure

Pop singer Simon Webbe of Blue joined the cast as Shank from 31 May 2010. The show was initially scheduled to close on 1 January 2011, but this was moved forward to 30 October 2010 to make way for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new production of The Wizard of Oz.

Sheila Hancock departed on 31 July 2010 due to other commitments. Whoopi Goldberg herself joined the cast as Mother Superior for a limited engagement from 10 August 2010, but departed early on 27 August when her mother suffered a stroke. She was succeeded by Sally Dexter, though Goldberg returned for five further performances in late October. The West End production closed as scheduled on 30 October 2010.

Opening Night: 20 April 2011 · Previews from 24 March 2011

A substantially revised adaptation — with the book rewritten by Douglas Carter Beane — opened on Broadway at The Broadway Theatre on 20 April 2011. Jerry Zaks took over as director (he had previously collaborated with Alan Menken on the 2003 Broadway production of Little Shop of Horrors).

Original Broadway Cast

Patina Miller reprised her role as Deloris Van Cartier, making her Broadway debut. The original Broadway cast featured Victoria Clark as the Mother Superior, Fred Applegate as the Monsignor, Sarah Bolt as Sister Mary Patrick, Chester Gregory as Eddie, Kingsley Leggs as Curtis, Marla Mindelle as Sister Mary Robert, and Audrie Neenan as Sister Mary Lazarus.

Cast Changes

Victoria Clark left the production unexpectedly on 12 October 2011, with understudy Jennifer Allen stepping in. Carolee Carmello took over as Mother Superior from 19 November 2011. Raven-Symoné replaced Patina Miller as Deloris Van Cartier from 27 March 2012.

The Broadway production closed on 26 August 2012 after 28 previews and 561 performances.

Manchester Opera House & UK-wide — October 2011 to October 2012

The first UK touring production opened at the Manchester Opera House on 4 October 2011, led by Cynthia Erivo — who would later achieve global fame — as Deloris Van Cartier, with Denise Black as the Mother Superior, Julie Atherton as Sister Mary Robert, and Michael Starke as Monsignor O’Hara. The tour concluded on 20 October 2012.

International Expansion: Stage Entertainment Germany

In 2010, Stage Entertainment produced the first international adaptation of the musical in Germany, marking the beginning of the show’s extensive worldwide reach.

Ed Mirvish Theatre, Toronto & across North America

The first national North American tour debuted on 2 October 2012 at the Ed Mirvish Theatre in Toronto, Canada. The cast was led by Ta’Rea Campbell as Deloris Van Cartier and Hollis Resnik as the Mother Superior (later replaced by Lynne Wintersteller). The tour closed on 29 June 2014 at the Majestic Theatre in San Antonio, Texas. A second national non-equity tour followed, running from 2014 to 2015.

UK & Ireland — August 2016 to September 2017

A new non-replica UK tour, directed and choreographed by Craig Revel Horwood (of Strictly Come Dancing fame), officially opened on 11 August 2016. The tour starred Alexandra Burke as Deloris Van Cartier, Jon Robyns as Eddie, and Rosemary Ashe as Sister Mary Lazarus. It ran until 3 September 2017.

Singapore, Philippines, China, Japan, South Korea

An international tour launched on 9 May 2017 at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, led by Dené Hill as Deloris Van Cartier. The tour visited the Philippines, China, Japan, and South Korea, closing on 21 January 2018 at the Blue Square Interpark Hall in Seoul.

London, Hammersmith Apollo — July–August 2022

Originally announced in 2019 with Jennifer Saunders as Mother Superior and Whoopi Goldberg as Deloris Van Cartier, this London run was twice delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. When it finally played from 19 July to 28 August 2022, Goldberg was no longer involved. Beverley Knight stepped in to play Deloris Van Cartier, with Jennifer Saunders as the Mother Superior.

Manchester Palace Theatre and UK-wide — June 2022 to October 2024

The third UK and Ireland tour had originally been slated to open in April 2020 but was delayed by the pandemic. It finally launched on 27 June 2022 at the Manchester Palace Theatre, playing its final performance on 5 October 2024 at the Liverpool Empire Theatre.

Det Ny Teater, Copenhagen — September 2023

A Danish production opened on 21 September 2023 at Det Ny Teater in Copenhagen, with Julie Steincke as Deloris Van Cartier.

EMK Productions — November 2023

An Asian non-replica tour produced by EMK Productions launched in November 2023, starring Nicole Vanessa Ortiz as Deloris Van Cartier.

Dominion Theatre, London — March to August 2024

A West End revival played a limited season from 15 March to 31 August 2024 at the Dominion Theatre. Beverley Knight led the cast from 15 March to 8 June, with Alexandra Burke taking over the role of Deloris Van Cartier from 10 June to 31 August. Ruth Jones made her much-celebrated West End debut as the Mother Superior, running from 15 March to 3 August 2024.