So Hyang 'Sophie' Kim reprises role in 'Sister Act'

Musical actor So Hyang “Sophie” Kim will be reprising the role of Sister Mary Robert in the upcoming international production of "Sister Act." She was in the 2017 international production as the first Asian to play Sister Mary Robert.

The cast of the upcoming international production of "Sister Act," from left, clockwise: Nicole Vanessa Ortiz, Mary Gutzi, So Hyang "Sophie" Kim, Kat Capili, Jenna Rose Husli, Shannon Haddock, Christopher Scurlock and Kris Coleman [EMK MUSICAL COMPANY]

Musical actor So Hyang “Sophie” Kim will be reprising the role of Sister Mary Robert in the upcoming international production of "Sister Act."

She was in the 2017 international production as the first Asian to play Sister Mary Robert.

Kim will alternate the role with Kat Capili, who has starred in musicals including "Nine" and "Amelie."

Nicole Vanessa Ortiz will take on the lead role of Deloris Van Cartier, according to the casting list released by EMK Musical Company on Wednesday. She is also reprising the role from Paper Mill Playhouse’s production of "Sister Act" in 2020.

Ortiz is "American Idol"'s 2005 finalist who debuted as a musical theater actor in 2017.

Mary Gutzi will play Mother Superior. Gutzi is best known for playing Fantine in "Les Miserable" and Graziella in "Cats."

The 29-person cast also includes Jenna Rose Husli as Sister Mary Patrick, Shannon Haddock as Sister Mary Lazarus, Christopher Scurlock as Lt. Eddie Souther and Kris Coleman as Curtis Jackson.

Seven Korean actors including Kim have been cast in the production.

EMK is currently producing the international tour version of the musical, set to open in Busan's Sohyang Theater on Nov. 4. The show will be performed in English.

It will continue performances at D-cube Arts Center in Guro District, western Seoul, from Nov. 23, followed by a national tour hitting a total of 15 cities through May 2024. EMK expects the show to begin an Asian leg from late 2024 to 2026.

BY LEE JIAN [lee.jian@joongang.co.kr]