*Auditions begin Feb 25
World-acclaimed Broadway musical, Sister Act, will berth in Nigeria later this year. To parade an all-Nigerian cast, a three-day audition/workshop would hold in Lagos from February 25 to 27 to realise the production.
Dr. Soji Akinkugbe, who is the brainchild of the Nigerian production, said in a statement that it is in collaboration with top executives of the prestigious Waterfront Theatre Company, Cape Town, South Africa.
One of the most successful musical theatre productions of all time, it is based on the 1992 film of the same title and tells the story of aspiring disco diva, Deloris Van Cartier, who, having witnessed her gangster (and married) boyfriend commit a murder, ends up in hiding in a convent whose parish has fallen on hard times.
Though the sequin-free lifestyle doesn’t agree with her, Deloris finds her calling working with the choir, and breathes new life into the dusty convent while discovering a sisterhood she’s never had before.
Akinkugbe, Managing Director of Colours in Africa, who grew up in the 1970s/80s campuses of the University of Lagos and University of Ife when a robust theatre performance tradition ruled, has long nursed a vision to produce international musical hits with Nigerian casts.
He also desires to use the productions to create a training platform that would transform raw local talents and skills into best standards available around the world. He has been a regular patron of many theatrical productions at home and abroad, especially in southern parts of Africa.
Through his association with one of the doyennes of South African theatre, Delia Sainsbury, and her business partner, Paul Griffiths, Akinkugbe’s vision is one step closer to being realised in the production of Sister Act.
It is scheduled for the MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos, later in the year.
Akinkugbe said he believes strongly in the talents of Nigerians to realise a world-class production of the play.
His organisation, Colours in Africa Productions, is spearheading the project with support from 2Wice As Nice, a firm headed by the actress and businesswoman, Elvina Ibru.
Delia and Paul round off the creative team for Sister Act with award-winning musical director, Garth Tavares, and international musical theatre artiste, Genna Galloway.
Artistes interested in the production can reach out to Tony Offiong or Elvina Ibru.
