Sister Robert Anne’s Cabaret Class
by Dan Goggin – Directed by Mimi McDonald
The reviews are in and the critics agree – Sister Robert Anne’s Cabaret Class is one hard habit to break! Conch Color calls Sister Robert Anne “hilarious” and Solares Hill/The Citizen says that in this “off-beat variety romp… fun is what you’ll get!” The newest of the smash-hit Nunsense musicals is about street-wise Sister Robert Anne teaching a class the art of cabaret. The show stars Christine Mild, “a versatile energy force” who gives a “tour de force performance” (Solares Hill/The Citizen). Music direction is by the “excellent and accomplished comic and musician, Sam Willmott” (Solares Hill/The Citizen). This is one class you’re not going to want to skip! Special thanks go to the show sponsor Rudy Molinet!
Check out the fabulous photos of the cast and crew of “Sister Robert Anne’s Cabaret Class” in Conch Color!
One Bad Habit
But what is this musical all about? Do you have to come prepared to sing? Are you required to participate? The answer is that you are required to come ready for a rollicking good time. There is some audience participation, but no one is required to perform except for Sister Robert Anne herself and her piano man, Sam.
Who is Christine Mild?
What sets Sister Robert Anne apart from other musicals is that it takes a tremendous amount of talent to pull it off. Luckily for local audiences, the Red Barn has found the perfect person for the job in Christine Mild, fresh off her stint touring the country as Patsy Cline in Always, Patsy Cline. Director Mimi McDonald says: “Sister Robert Anne showcases every kind of music imaginable and Christine is so brilliantly talented that she makes it look easy! It takes an extremely well rounded performer like Christine to be able to act, sing, dance, do impersonations and improv all in one show and most importantly, have fun!” Mild credits this ability to her upbringing in the unconventional cabaret world of Las Vegas. “I started performing in Las Vegas when I was eight. My childhood was full of sequins and hair rollers and makeup.” A move to Chicago sparked her interest in musicals and, as they say, a star was born. And that star brings all her energy and experience to the role of Sister Robert Anne. “I grew up performing in casinos and singing where I could sing. I also grew up Catholic, so I understand the draw of the ceremony of the Catholic church. I like playing Sister Robert Anne because she is fun and zany and pretty goofy and that is kind of like me too.” Sitting alongside Christine for the ride is music director Sam Willmott, who is a composer and lyricist himself who’s first musical, Standardized Testing The Musical!!!! is in the process of being published. For more information about Sam and his work, visit www.samwillmott.com.
