Sister Act: Raven-Symoné to star from 27 Mar 2012

Actress and singer Raven-Symoné makes her Broadway debut on the 27 Mar 2012 starring as 'Deloris Van Cartier' in the musical Sister Act, which is currently booking through to 4 Nov 2012 at the Broadway Theatre.

Symoné assumes the role from original cast member Patina Miller, who was nominated both for a Tony and Olivier Award for her performance. Miller played her final performance on 18 Mar 2012.

Actress and singer Symoné is best known for her role in the Emmy-nominated comedy series, "That's So Raven," on the Disney Channel, for which she received three NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Performance in a Youth/Children's Series/Special and two Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards for Favorite Television Actress. Most recently, Symoné starred on the ABC Family comedy "State of Georgia," which marked her return to television after a five year hiatus. Her film's include 'College Road Trip,' 'The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement' and, 'Dr. Dolittle' and 'Dr. Dolittle 2' opposite Eddie Murphy.

The Broadway company of Sister Act, directed by Jerry Zaks and choreographed by Anthony Van Laast, now features Raven-Symoné as 'Deloris Van Cartier,' Carolee Carmello as 'Mother Superior,' Fred Applegate as 'Monsignor,' Sarah Bolt as 'Sister Mary Patrick,' John Treacy Egan as 'Joey,' Demond Green as 'TJ,' Chester Gregory as 'Eddie,' Kingsley Leggs as 'Curtis,' Marla Mindelle as 'Sister Mary Robert,' Audrie Neenan as 'Sister Mary Lazarus' and Caesar Samayoa as 'Pablo.'

Sister Act, opened at the Broadway Theatre on 20 Apr 2011, following previews from 24 Mar 2011.

The musical opened to mixed reviews: A sweet show. It is not great. (newyorktheatreguide.com); Tame, innocuous and frankly a little dull (NY Times); A feel-good crowd-pleaser worth celebrating (NY Daily News); Plenty of laughter rocks the rafters (Newsroom Jersey).

Sister Act: When 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 quickly finds fans amongst her fellow 'sisters' but makes the wrong impression on the convent's strict Mother Superior. When she turns her attention to the convent's off-key choir, helping the nuns to find their true voices and breathing new life into the rundown neighbourhood, her cover could be blown for good. With the gang giving chase, is time running out for Deloris? Or have they underestimated the power of her new found Sisterhood?

Sister Act is based on the 1992 film of the same name, and features music by Alan Menken ('Little Shop of Horrors,' 'Beauty and the Beast,' 'The Little Mermaid' and 'Enchanted'), lyrics by Glenn Slater (The Little Mermaid), book by Cheri and Bill Steinkellner ("Cheers").

Sister Act features set design by Klara Zieglerova, costumes by Lez Brotherston, lighting by Natasha Katz and sound by Mick Potter.

The world premiere of Sister Act played at the London Palladium from 7 May 2009 - 30 Oct 2010. The show received generally good notices from the London press: "It's a wimple-wibbling, habit-forming triumph." (Evening Standard); "Sister Act proves more enjoyable on stage than it did on film." (Daily Telegraph); "Highly recommended" (The Stage).