Cantorial soloist Jordan Lawrence cast as a nun…again

By ALAN SMASON

For the third time in several years, Congregation Gates of Prayer cantorial soloist Jordan Lawrence is playing a singing nun on stage and it’s a “habit” her synagogue fully supports.

Congregation Gates of Prayer cantorial soloist Jordan Lawrence in a scene from “Sister Act” now playing at Rivertown Theaters in Kenner. (Photo by John Barrois)

Lawrence, normally a leader in Shabbat worship services was away from her regular post last weekend and this weekend as she assumed the role of Sister Mary Patrick, one of the characters in “Sister Act” being presented by Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts through May 19.

She has twice memorably played (pun intended) another nun, Sister Amnesia, in Rivertown’s productions of “Nunsense” in 2021 and the follow-up “Nunsense II” in 2022. (In yet another unusual bit of casting, she played Karen the Computer last year in Rivertown’s “Spongebob Squarepants: The Musical.“)

As Sister Mary Patrick, though, Lawrence has one of the more difficult and spectacular singing roles in the musical remake of the 1992 film that starred Whoopi Goldberg and featured Kathy Najimy in her film debut in the same role.

With music by Alan Menken (“Beauty and the Beast“), a book by Cheri and Bill Steinkellner and Douglas Carter Beane (“Cinderella“), “Sister Act” is directed by Rivertown’s co-artistic director Gary Rucker, who was responsible for her being cast.

Lawrence spoke with the CCJN through an exclusive phone interview. “It is very funny, but last year as we were rapping up “Spongebob,” I went to Gary and I said: ‘I don’t know what to do next year. I want to pick a show.'”

Jordan Lawrence as Sister Mary Patrick. (Photo by John Barrois)

She said she was pretty emotional because she wanted to sing, but, he consoled her by saying that he was doing “a nun show” and quipped: “I have a habit in your size.”

Also, because of her regular workload of teaching and leading worship services, doing “Sister Act” made sense.

Lawrence recalls seeing Disney TV star Raven-Symoné in the leading role of Delores van Cartier in disguise as Sister Mary Clarence on Broadway. “That’s my era,” she noted. “I grew up loving ‘That’s So Raven,’ and to be able to see her was just so exciting.”

Preparing for her role during rehearsals was also affected by the recent Passover holiday. She attended a seder for the first night of Passover at Chabad and hosted a second night seder for Tribe, the young adults group at Gates of Prayer. “I didn’t go to rehearsals (on) those nights,” she explained.

Although she doesn’t have a solo number, she does figure prominently in the several scenes with the nuns chorus. “Any time there are nuns on stage, I’m a big part of that,” she added.

This is her fifth Rivertown show, as she also previously was a cast member in their production of “Oliver!” in January of 2020 just prior to the worldwide shutdown of theatre due to the COVID pandemic.

Jordan Lawrence holding flowers in center with members of Congregation Gates of Prayer following her performance. (Photo by Alan Smason)

The cantorial soloist is also very appreciative of the backing and support she receives from her congregation. “I get so much gratification from the work that I do. I really love what I do,” she said. “What’s really great about the fact that I get to do these shows is that the congregation loves seeing me. Even though I’ve had to take off a few Friday nights leading services, they really enjoy asking me how rehearsals are going or things like that. They really do enjoy it.”

Lawrence said her Thursdays, when she sets choir rehearsal, have been a bit tricky as she winded through her other rehearsal schedule for the musical. “Purim was a crazy time for me,” she continued. “There are certain times when it’s busy and it’s hard to do this. Then I get on stage and I remember why I do it.”

At several of the night performances and matinees she has been regularly visited by members of her congregation. “I really love being here. I feel very appreciated at Rivertown. The cast is all really great – the crew and everything,” she concluded. “It’s a very nice experience.”

Jordan Lawrence continues in her role as Sister Mary Patrick in “Sister Act” today, Sun., May 12 at 2:00 p.m. Nightly shows at 7:30 p.m. continue on Thur., May 16 through Sat., May 18. Final performances are on Sun., May 19 at 2:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. For tickets call Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts at 504-461-9475 or click here.