Clark, a Tony Award winner for The Light in the Piazza, originated the role of Mother Superior in the Broadway production of Sister Act, which opened on Broadway April 20. The Tony-winning actress last played the role Oct. 12. Her understudy, Jennifer Allen has performed the role since that date. A reason was not provided for Clark's departure from the production.
The role of Mother Superior was revised since the London staging and a new song, "Haven't Got a Prayer," was added for Broadway. Clark received a 2011 Best Featured Actress in a Musical Tony Award nomination for her performance.
Carmello recently starred in the 5th Avenue Theatre production of Saving Aimee, a role she originated at the Signature Theatre in 2007. She is a two-time Tony Award nominee for Parade and Lestat. Her Broadway appearances also include The Addams Family, Mamma Mia, 1776, Urinetown, The Scarlet Pimpernel, City of Angels and Falsettos. Off-Broadway she has been seen in Hello Again, Elegies, A Class Act, jon and jen and Das Barbecü.
The Sister Act principal cast also includes Tony and Olivier Award nominee Patina Miller as Deloris Van Cartier, Fred Applegate (Young Frankenstein) as Monsignor, Sarah Bolt (Wicked) as Sister Mary Patrick, John Treacy Egan (The Producers) as Joey, Demond Green (The Toxic Avenger) as TJ, Chester Gregory (Dreamgirls) as Eddie, Kingsley Leggs (The Color Purple) as Curtis, Marla Mindelle (South Pacific) as Sister Mary Robert, Audrie Neenan (Picnic) as Sister Mary Lazarus and Caesar Samayoa (The Pee-wee Herman Show) as Pablo.
Tony Award-winning director Jerry Zaks (Guys and Dolls, The Addams Family) directs Sister Act, which has a book by Tony Award nominee Beane (The Little Dog Laughed, Xanadu), as well as Emmy winners Cheri and Bill Steinkellner. Academy Award-winning composer Alan Menken (The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast) and lyricist Glenn Slater (Love Never Dies) penned the score. Sister Act received Tony nominations for Best Book, Best Score and Best Musical.
The ensemble includes Jennifer Allen, Chris Bohannon, Natalie Bradshaw, Charl Brown, Christina DeCicco, Holly Davis, Madeleine Doherty, Alan H. Green, Carrie A. Johnson, Louise Madison, Kimberly Marable, Marissa Perry, Ernie Pruneda, Trisha Rapier, Lance Roberts, Rashidra Scott, Jennifer Simard, Danny Stiles, Lael Van Keuren, Roberta B. Wall and Alena Watters.
Sister Act features the work of choreographer Anthony Van Laast, scenic designer Klara Zieglerova, costume designer Lez Brotherston, lighting designer Natasha Katz and sound designer John Shivers.
Michael Kosarin serves as musical supervisor, with dance music arrangements by Mark Hummel, orchestrations by Doug Besterman and electronic music by Andy Barrett. Music director is Brent-Alan Huffman.
According to producers, "When disco diva Deloris Van Cartier witnesses a murder, she is put in protective custody in the one place cops are sure she won't be found — a convent! Disguised as a nun, she finds herself at odds with both the rigid lifestyle and an uptight Mother Superior. Using her unique disco moves and singing talent to inspire the choir, Deloris breathes new life into the church and community, but in doing so blows her cover. Soon the gang are giving chase, only to find themselves up against Deloris and the power of her new found Sister Hood."
The Broadway Theatre is located at 1681 Broadway. For tickets phone (212) 239-6200, or visit Telecharge.com.
Visit SisterActtheMusical.
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