'Sister Act'

COLUMBIA FALLS High School student Estevon Torres (left) works with Broadway veteran Mike Eldred during a rehearsal for “Sister Act.”

FLATHEAD HIGH School student Annie Jones stars as Deloris Van Cartier in “Sister Act.” (Photos courtesy of Alpine Theatre Project)

| April 20, 2017 4:00 AM

FLATHEAD HIGH School student Annie Jones stars as Deloris Van Cartier in Sister Act. (Photos courtesy of Alpine Theatre Project)

Disco music and cloistered convents collide in the musical “Sister Act,” coming to the Whitefish Performing Arts Center April 28-30 and presented by Alpine Theatre Project Kids.

Shows Friday and Saturday are at 7 p.m., with Sunday’s finale at 2 p.m. Tickets begin at $10 and are available for purchase online at www.atpwhitefish.org.

The Tony Award-nominated musical is based on the 1992 hit film starring Whoopi Goldberg, and will be performed by 33 students age 13 to 18 from eight different schools across the Flathead Valley.

The show’s music was created by award-winning composer Alan Menken and helped “Sister Act” win the Tony Award for Best Musical.

“Menken is a master of musical theatre,” ATP Producing Artistic Director Betsi Morrison said. “The music in this show is a perfect mix of fun throwbacks to the disco-era and uplifting, inspiring anthems about finding your true self.”

Morrison and fellow Broadway veterans Luke Walrath and Mike Eldred taught students for this show.

“Sister Act” is a classic “fish out of water” comedy: When would-be disco diva, Deloris Van Cartier, witnesses a murder, she is put in protective custody in the one place the 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 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 is giving chase, only to find them up against Deloris and the power of her newly found sisterhood.

ATP Kids is the cornerstone of Alpine Theatre Project’s educational programming, which includes programs for elementary, middle and high school students along with professional internships. Over 1,000 students have taken part in ATP’s educational programs since 2008.