Ashley Johnson-Moore plays Deloris, in disguise as Sister Mary Clarence, who teaches nuns to sing with fervor at the convent where she is hiding out. Here the cast performs 'Sunday Morning Fever.' 'Sister Act' runs at Toby’s Dinner Theatre through Nov. 5. Photo by Jeri Tidwell Photography

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This fall, the beloved Toby’s Dinner Theatre in Columbia, Maryland, is presenting Sister Act. Featuring engaging characters and songs by the Oscar-winning composer Alan Menken, the show will please most any theater-goer.

Based on a popular 1992 film starring Whoopi Goldberg, the plot revolves around one Deloris Van Cartier, a rebellious singer living in the 1970s disco era.

Unfortunately, Deloris has witnessed her gangster boyfriend murder an informer. Terrified, she goes to the police, where she is greeted with great surprise by a former high school classmate, Eddie Souther, now a police detective.

Eddie takes her to a convent, where she must blend in as a nun until she can testify in court as a witness to the crime. That means she also needs to reform, or at least subdue, her “unholy habits” for a while.

There ensues comedy, chaos and a thoughtful contrast of vita activa and vita contemplativa world views.

Directed and choreographed by Mark Minnick, the show shines, especially in the caustic yet touching relationship that develops between world-wise Deloris and the cloistered Mother Superior.

Ashley Johnson-Moore is excellent as Deloris, performing the songs “Take Me to Heaven” and “Fabulous, Baby” with pitch-perfect verve. These songs show us Deloris’ self-centered and worldly side.

But she is quickly tasked with using her musical talents to improve the convent’s terribly off-key choir. She soon has them singing powerful gospel harmonies, exemplified by the spectacular number “Raise Your Voice.”

The outstanding Lynn Sharp-Spears, as Mother Superior, expertly navigates between serving as a serious-minded defender of the cloistered convent (exemplified by her poignant song “Within These Walls”) and exasperated comic straight man (wowing the audience with the witty and delightful “I Haven’t Got a Prayer”).

Characters show growth

MaryKate Brouillet displays laudable acting talent as the diffident Sister Mary Robert, who as a postulant is still undecided about convent life. In her beautiful solo, “The Life I Never Led,” she begins to find her own voice, both figuratively and literally.

Another intriguing example of character growth is that of Eddie, the police officer — sometimes disparagingly called “Sweaty Eddie” — who learns to overcome his fearful nature and embrace bravery.

In his excellent performance as Eddie, talented singer-actor Gerald Jordan explores these conflicting instincts in “I Could Be That Guy.” Foster uses body language in ways that are at times hopelessly uncool and at times very cool, physically demonstrating his inner conflict.

One person who lives without conflict is Monsignor O’Hara, played engagingly by Toby’s staple Robert Biedermann. The Monsignor immediately accepts Deloris’ disco-influenced gospel singing, sometimes comically grooving along with it.

Those who like traditional-style Broadway songs of the past will enjoy “It’s Good to Be a Nun,” sung humorously and beautifully by the group of sisters — suspending for a moment the earlier established fact that this group of nuns is musically challenged.

Capping off the wonderfully entertaining performances is the excellent live musical accompaniment from a small live orchestra conducted by Ross Scott Rawlings.

Comedic and uplifting themes

Slapstick is used in a cleverly choreographed chase scene through a maze in Toby’s theatre-in-the-round by bad-guy lover Curtis (Ryan Holmes) and his henchmen.

Curtis has a particularly witty song in “When I Find My Baby,” which Holmes sings with aplomb.

The show has many positive messages; in particular, the Mother Superior and Deloris, who initially seem to be opposites, ultimately find common ground.

Their similarity is subtly hinted at early on as Deloris teaches the nuns to remember, when they sing, that “You’re part of a group” — the same message Mother Superior has been impressing upon both the nuns and also Deloris.

Finally, the message that God can save all is prevalent in Sister Act. Even the criminals are ultimately shown singing with the nuns — although each is restrained by a chain and (disco) ball.

Sister Act runs through November 5; occasional adult themes may be inappropriate for young children, and a few fog and strobe effects are used.

Toby’s is located at 5900 Symphony Woods Rd. in Columbia. Advance reservations are required. Performances are Tuesday through Sunday nights, with matinees on Wednesday and Sunday at 12:30 p.m. (buffet brunch for matinees opens at 10:30 a.m.).

Tickets are $74-$79 for adults and $57-$60 for children 12 and under. All tickets include an all-you-can-eat buffet (brunch or dinner).

Those 65 and over may attend any Tuesday or Wednesday performance for $62.90. Tickets may be purchased from Ticketmaster or by phone from the box office at (410) 730-8311.

Correction: The print version of this story incorrectly named the actor who plays the police officer, Eddie. His name is Gerald Jordan.