Cappies Review: Fairfax High's 'Sister Act' A 'Truly Fabulous' Show

By Aidan Furey
Bishop Ireton High School

FAIRFAX CITY, VA — Fairfax High School's production of "Sister Act" was truly nothing short of "Fabulous, Baby!" The show, adapted from the 1992 film, follows singer Deloris Van Cartier as she witnesses her mobster boyfriend Curtis commit a murder and proceeds to go into witness protection. When she finds out she's to stay with a convent of nuns, Deloris is horrified at the prospect of leaving her life of worldliness behind. In the end, though, she gets a lot more than she bargained for. It's a show about self-discovery and the power of love, and Fairfax managed to deliver these complex themes in the format of a hilarious, incredibly energetic performance.

Much of this show's strength comes from its powerful acting. Fairfax's very own Isabella Jackson (playing Deloris) had a genuinely starlike quality that manifested itself through some of the best vocal and dance performances of the entire show. Jackson's cadence and careful delivery of lines was fun to watch. Notably, it remained consistent over the course of the two-plus hour run and never fizzled out.

Commitment to the role was evident across the board with Fairfax. Logan Baker, also a choreographer, donned a habit to play the convent's Mother Superior. Baker's ability to play a holier-than-thou, sarcastic old nun with significant internal conflict was as effortless as it was hilarious. The nuns in general shined throughout "Sister Act," but in particular Sister Mary Robert (played by Kaylee Williams) stunned with ballad-like vocals and surprising character development over the course of the show. Starting off timid and growing into a confident, emboldened character, Williams did well to highlight the nuances of the young nun's self-discovery.

There was so much to love about "Sister Act" that it is difficult to accurately encapsulate the full beauty of Fairfax's performance. The true excellence, as they say, is in the details. Of course, the amazingly enthusiastic and coordinated ensemble, perfectly toeing the line between chaos and grace, made for an immersive and memorable experience.

On a technical side, lighting (led by Taehyun Lee, Johanna Carroll, and John Mark Perry) was thoughtful and even split the stage at times to show parallels between different characters. It helped to convey the dense emotional quality of certain scenes while adding a lighter flair to fun numbers like "Take Me To Heaven."

Costumes for the show (led by Gaby Adumua and Evelyn Ma) were also great, with characters transitioning between different looks almost instantaneously and vigorously propelling audiences into something new. Eddie's (played by Nate Smith) multiple costume changes during "I Could Be That Guy" were so sudden and unexpected that they sparked applause mid-scene. This show's success represents an equal commitment from both cast and crew, as neither would have been as spectacular without the other.

"Sister Act" might not have audiences rushing to pray, but the show's blend of comedy and a feel-good narrative is downright heavenly.by Aidan Furey of Bishop Ireton High School