In a three-piece suit, accessorized with lots and lots of jewelry, Eli Yaroch commits murder.
“I have never played the villain before,” says Yaroch, a junior at Pittsburgh CAPA, Downtown Pittsburgh, who plays Curtis Jackson in the musical “Sister Act.” “I like playing a part that is so far from who I am. It’s going to be fun.”
Catch Yaroch’s devious character in the musical March 28-31 and April 4-7 at the school. The decision to do this production was made by theater department chairwoman Mindy Rossi-Stabler, who has been directing shows there for more than three decades.
“These students are more experienced, because Pittsburgh has a rich theater community, and they have so many opportunities at small theater companies,” she says.”This cast is young, but really talented and works hard.”
Sophomore Caroline McCully says the musical loosely resembles the movie of the same name. She is a nun as part of the ensemble which performs 15 songs, including McCully’s favorite “Take Me to Heaven.”
“It is so much fun to get to do this show,” says McCully. “We love having Miss Stabler. She is very detail oriented. Every little thing is thought of. She says the smallest detail can make or break a show.”
McCully and Yaroch say there might be additional pressure to do well because CAPA is a performing arts school.
“We work so hard because we want to make the best possible show,” Yaroch says. “I think because we are a performing arts school there is a high standard, and Miss Stabler definitely holds us to the highest standard.”
There will be some guest “Popes” in the show —- local celebrities.
“I can’t reveal who they will be,” Rossi-Stabler says. “You have to come and see the show.”
