Sacred Hearts Academy presents musical “Sister Act”
Sacred Hearts Academy will bring to the stage the Broadway musical “Sister Act” at the Dr. Richard T. Mamiya Theatre this November. Sister Act is the feel-good musical comedy smash based on the hit 1992 film that had audiences jumping to their feet!
Featuring original music by Tony and eight-time Oscar winner, Alan Menken (Newsies, Beauty and the Beast, Little Shop of Horrors), this uplifting musical was nominated for five Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
When a disco diva witnesses a murder, she is put in protective custody in the one place the cops are sure she won’t be a found: a convent! Disguised as a nun, she finds herself at odds with both the rigid lifestyle and uptight Mother Superior.
Using her unique disco moves and singing talent to inspire the choir, she breathes new life into the church and community but, in doing so, blows her cover. The gang soon chases after her, only to find themselvesup against the power of her newly found sisterhood.
Filled with powerful gospel music, outrageous dancing and a truly moving story, Sister Act will leave you breathless. Experience this sparkling tribute to the universal power of friendship. Sister Act is reason to rejoice!
Playing the lead role of Deloris van Cartier, the disco diva turned nun, is Mahealani Sims-Tulba. If that last name sounds familiar, it’s because her father is none other than stellar local comedian Augie Tulba – better known as Augie T.
A senior at Sacred Hearts Academy, Sims-Tulba has already started building a resume as a performer. She was recently in SHA’s musical production of “The Wizard of Oz” as the Wicked Witch of the West and as Motormouth Maybelle in Saint Louis Center For The Arts’ production of “Hairspray” this spring.
She is Miss Teen Hawaii United States 2017 and hosts OC 16 television’s Brown Bags To Stardom weekly show. Sims-Tulba also has a role in the locally made movie Kuleana.
With all that going on, the high school senior still finds time to give back to the community. She works with many organizations statewide. She also created her own non-profit organization against bullying called B.R.A.V.E. Hawaii– Be Respectful And Value Everyone. Her new TV show, Brave Hawaii TV, launches in January. More at www.bravehawaii.org.
Kyle Kakuno, director of Sacred Hearts Academy’s drama program and the musical “Sister Act,” says students like Sims-Tulba are rare. “A lot of kids today are very self-centered. I think that is partly the byproduct of the digital age we live in where children, as young as kindergarteners, are focused on a rectangle piece of electronic equipment they can hold in their hands. Mahealani is different in that she’s always thinking about the big picture. It’s what makes her a good performer. As an actress, she’s focused on the telling of the story and connecting to the whole cast. She’s not a ‘look at me’ type of person, although her talent surely warrants it. She really is a director’s dream.”
Sister Act will play the Dr. Richard T. Mamiya Theatre from November 3 – 12; Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Mamiya Theatre is on the campus of Saint Louis School and Chaminade University.
Tickets start at $18. For tickets, go to http://www.sacredhearts.org/tickets.
