Raven-Symoné Headed to Broadway’s ‘Sister Act’

It’s official: TV star Raven-Symoné will join the Broadway cast of Sister Act, according to a report by the New York Times.

Raven-Symoné, best known for playing the young girl Olivia on “The Cosby Show” in the late 1980s and early ‘90s, will begin her run as Deloris Van Cartier, an aspiring disco singer who goes into hiding at a convent after witnessing a crime, on March 27 at the Broadway Theatre.

“Performing on Broadway has always been a dream of mine and I am beyond thrilled to be making my debut with this role in such a fantastic show,” the 26-year-old star told Broadwayworld. “Sister Act has everything – amazing songs, hilarious jokes and a fabulous lead character you can root for – I can’t wait to get onstage and share her story with audiences eight times a week.”

Raven takes over the Deloris role from Tony-nominated star Patina Miller.

Based on the hit 1992 film starring Whoopi Goldberg, Sister Act features music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Glenn Slater and a book by Douglas Carter Beane and Cheri and Bill Steinkellner. The show opened on April 27, 2011 and earned five Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical.

Besides Symoné, Sister Act also stars Carolee Carmello, Fred Applegate, Sarah Bolt, John Treacy Egan, Demond Green, Chester Gregory, Kingsley Leggs, Marla Mindelle, Audrie Neenan and Caesar Samayoa.

After staring in The Cosby Show as a youth, Raven had a featured role in the hit sitcom Hangin’with Mr. Cooper. She then went on to headline her own Disney channel show, That’s So Raven, along with Disney Channel TV movies The Cheetah Girls and The Cheetah Girls 2 and ABC Family series State of Georgia.

Her film roles include Dr. Dolittle and Dr. Dolittle 2.

Are you a fan of the original Sister Act movie? How do you think Raven-Symoné will do taking on the lead role of the Broadway adaptation?

Source/Image: Broadwayworld