Sister Act

Patina Miller - Star of the Show

The Birth of Something Special

Opening Night

Sister Act - Show of the Year

With TV audiences lapping up every talent show going these days, it’s often hard to spot a performer with any longevity amongst the endless “one-hit-wonders” who come and go like seasons in the industry cycle. Shot to the top in a blaze of public voting, they are little more than fireworks in the sky, on their way down again and forgotten before their fading light is even spent.

When I attended the opening night of Sister Act I came away from the performance realising that in Patina Miller, I had just witnessed the birth of a very special star; one that was made to entertain and possessing of a sustainable talent!

The young woman who shook my hand and offered me a seat when we met in her dressing room at The London Palladium thirty minutes before warm up for the midweek evening performance was accommodating and very humble.

“I’m still getting used to all the attention,” she grinned with all the excitement of an excited teenager.

Born into a very musical family, Patina confessed that gospel music in particular had proven a big influence in her life and from a very young age she had been encouraged to sing in the church with her family and friends.

“I saw it as a part of my life and there is no question that this early grounding in music gave me a natural platform from which to progress into my present career. It was something I had always wanted to do and when I got the opportunity to perform the lead role in a version of Annie when I was at 9 years of age there was no stopping me.

Whoopi Goldberg decided to put her weight behind a musical production of the film and she was determined to find the best candidate to fill a role that was sure to be much more demanding than her original performance.

“When Whoopi chose me from all the young hopefuls I felt like all my dreams had come true. Still, that was only the start of some very hard work and the journey from then to where we are today was a tough one. Living the dream is a long way on from finding it. Performing before a live audience night after night, knowing that each person has their own expectations makes it a tough gig to follow. So many people enjoyed the original film and Whoopi is such a big personality that I knew I had to give it my all.”

And she certainly does that. From the moment Patina arrives on stage as Deloris Van Cartier with her opening number it’s like a wakeup call. Her strong powerful voice, sublime comedic skills and attractive personality all jostle for your attention and I cannot think of many other shows of this nature that are so strongly carried by one performance.

Yet Patina remains humble, almost surprised by the reaction she has received and is unfazed by the public and critical adoration.

“I don’t tend to read reviews. They can either go to your head or put you off your stride. I just concentrate on giving my best night after night and the satisfaction is the reaction that comes back to me from the audience. Let’s not forget that along with Broadway, the West End is the home of global theatre and the fact that the show was making its world premier here in London meant I had to get it right.”

I then asked Patina to elaborate on what drew her to the musical and if she could relate to the central theme of the story.

“Very much so. This is a tale of women coming together in a male dominated environment and proving that as sisters, working in a team, they can overcome any obstacle. In a way it is a metaphor for all those women who are still plagued by inequality in the world, whether it is in the work place, the home or even for their right to vote. What we have here is a musical that calls all women and says to them: you are not alone and you don’t need to be.

“There is no question that in the entertainment industry it is certainly still harder on women than it is on a man and for whatever reason, in the main we seem to have a shorter shelf life. Perhaps more people out there judge women on their looks rather than their ability. That might explain why there is still a shortage of real roles for more mature women, certainly in cinema.”

Patina’s run in Sister Act is due to continue until May 2010 and I asked her what other goals she has set herself for the future.

“Well I won’t lie to you: I would love to take my role to Broadway when the show opens there but I guess that decision isn’t in my hands. I would also love to do movies and TV in the future but I still have a long way to go in that area. For now I’m focused only on Sister Act and taking each day (and performance) as it goes.”

At 24 years of age, this dynamic and enthusiastic star is clearly just at the early stages of what is sure to be a very special career and I would advise any of you who can see Patina’s performance to do so.

For more information on the show visit the main website at www.sisteractthemusical.com

George R Vaughan

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Patina Miller - Star of the Show

The Birth of Something Special

Opening Night

Sister Act - Show of the Year

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