Sister Act

Isobella Coleman - November 2017 - Priory Centre

Christmas Eve in 1977 at a disco nightclub in Philadelphia, club singer, Deloris Van Cartier, and her two back-ups are performing in front of an empty house. Van Cartier’s boyfriend, Curtis Jackson, owns the nightclub. Curtis tells her he cannot join her for Christmas Day but gives her a coat, which she discovers belonged to his wife. Hurt and frustrated, Deloris goes to her backup singers, Michelle and Tina, about her dreams of stardom and fame. She decides to break up with Curtis and heads out of Philadelphia to go fulfill her dreams, when she happens to witness Curtis and his crew murder someone. Accused of “squealing” to the cops, she becomes terrified and runs away as Curtis orders his men to get her. Some time later, Deloris runs into a police station and tells the desk chief, Eddie, about what has happened. Eddie sends Deloris into the witness protection program and sends her to the place he believes Jackson will never find her: a convent! When Deloris arrives, she is disappointed to learn that contact with the outside world is limited and that she cannot smoke, drink or wear any of her less-than-appropriate clothing. Meanwhile, back in his nightclub, Jackson is frustrated that he cannot find Deloris anywhere. The following morning, Deloris attends the choir practice and realizes how bad the situation is. Deloris offers to teach them how to sing in key and on time. That Sunday, the choir performs a rousing, up-tempo hymn. Although the church is struggling, the improved performance and new material bring an influx of donations and membership. Mother Superior, however, is horrified at how the simple, traditional choir she knew has changed and become modern.

The choir becomes very successful and has made a lot of money for the church, which allows it to be remodeled and fixed. However, Mother Superior wants rid of Deloris. Monsignor O’Hara brings news that the choir has been asked to perform a special concert for the Pope. However Curtis sees Deloris accepting the invitation on TV and sends TJ, Joey and Pablo to take her from the convent. The truth about Deloris is revealed to the superfluity when Mother Superior informs her that the court date for Curtis has been moved and she must leave immediately. Deloris runs from the convent and stays with Eddie, whilst initially happy that she will testify against Curtis, she feels guilty for leaving her sisters when they needed her, realising that the choices she makes will leave her with nothing but fame and money. She therefore returns to the convent and sings with her sisters. Elsewhere, Jackson thinks up a new way to get into the convent, dressed as nuns, Curtis, Joey, TJ and Pablo sneak into the convent. They find and chase Deloris. The nuns see this and they all prepare to protect Deloris, standing in front of her when Curtis confronts her. Eddie prevents Curtis from shooting the nuns, arrests Curtis and his men, and then shares a passionate embrace with Deloris. The performance in front of the Pope begins, as the nuns sing in harmony, led by a changed Deloris Van Cartier.