'Sister Act' at the Walnut Street: Splendid leads, kitsch, laughs, amens

The film Sister Act starring Whoopi Goldberg took place in a risky area of San Francisco. For the current production of the musical Sister Act at the Walnut Street Theatre, the Queen of Angels parish, where Deloris Van Cartier finds refuge from her mobster boyfriend, is set in South Philly. This production was surprising in a few ways: very little likeness to the film; an LGBT inclusiveness that feels kitsch; and the local angle provides for loads of Philly details.

Don't go looking for "I Will Follow Him" or "My Guy (My God)"; you won't find them here. But Cheri and Bill Steinkellner's book, Alan Menken's music, and Glenn Slater's lyrics are arrestingly charming. "Fabulous, Baby!" introduces the magic of Dan'yelle Williamson, who leads as Deloris, and she truly is fabulous. When at her curtain call she appears in her own fantasy, a sparkly white floor-length dress and white fur vintage Donna Summer 1978, and declares "Philly, you're fabulous!" she is a vision.

Mary Martello can sing! The local treasure has a gorgeous, nuanced singing voice and embodies Mother Superior with some of the pearl-clutching conservatism of Maggie Smith in the film version. Her "Here Within These Walls" was delicately beautiful.

The first act is strongest, and one highlight is the hilarious grace said by a disguised Sister Mary Clarence rambles. Then comes of the best numbers of the show, "It's Good to Be a Nun," with the aged nun who says she loves "teaching little kids how to keep their palms hair-free" and "the world is your oyster when you're locked up in a cloister."

One difference from the film is that the detective protecting Deloris, "Sweaty Eddie" Souther (Kent Overshown), turns out to be an old high-school acquaintance who's always had a crush on her. His truly lovely "I Could Be That Guy" revealed sterling doo-wop pipes. The number got weird when Rocky Balboa showed up, jogging with a towel around his neck. The word cheesesteak is uttered at least a half-dozen times. No pretzels or water ice.

As for the kitsch LGBT inclusiveness, in this show the threat of Queen of Angels closing comes at the hands of two bachelors who sell antiques. They are seen embracing after using the word gothic several times (they must have been consoling each other, says Monsignor O'Hara). After Deloris shows up and church services become headline news, Mother Superior gets a check from those same bachelors that reads, "Mary, you are fierce!" "How did they know my name?" Mother Superior asks. She even laments, in "Haven't Got a Prayer" that she has worshippers in moon boots, chaps, plus punks and even Jews.

In the end, the message of love, friendship, and human connectivity rings loudly with the reprisal of the title song. Big belly laughs and the occasional "Amen!" came from the seats. Some were even filled by nuns in habits.

Through July 17 at the Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut St. Tickets: $20-$95. Information: 215-574-3550 or walnutstreettheatre.org.