Casey Donovan has come a long way since her Australian Idol win twenty years ago. From Mama Cass to Mama Morton and Judy in 9 to Five, she’s now stepping into her first leading role in Sister Act: The Musical. I had a chat with her.
Deloris/Sister Mary Clarence – what a role! Even gay men want to play it. How do you feel?
I am so thrilled and beside myself. It’s one of those dream roles. I grew up watching Sister Act and I re-watched it the other week and got so excited. It’s pretty much a once-in-a-lifetime role.
How does one prepare to play a nun? A visit to a convent?
(Laughing) I’ve got a good understanding of the role. I didn’t grow up religious, but I know many people who’ve gone through the religious school system and attended church. My preparation includes looking through that window to kind of get a grasp on it all. Deloris is kind of traumatised from going to a Catholic school as a kid and having a love/hate relationship with that part of her life. But she’s then put into a Nunnery to save her life which is quite comical.
Casey Donovan as Deloris Van Cartier and Genevieve Lemon as Mother Superior in Sister Act: The Musical
Actors often say getting into costume brings on its own life, like a cop’s uniform becoming empowering. Does a nun’s habit make you feel serene or saintly?
(Laughing) I don’t feel it makes me any more saintly – more of an imposter! But that works well for Deloris because she leads a life of glitz and glamour and is a disco diva. She likes sex, drinking and going to parties, but once in the convent she’s surrounded by these women who live and breathe God and Jesus – it’s imposters syndrome! When I put the habit on, even briefly for a photo shoot, it does change the way I walk, talk and even act, which is interesting.
Do you have a favourite moment in the show?
Currently, the one song that gets me in the feelings is Sister Act. It comes towards the end of the show where Deloris is at a crossroads of wanting a better life. She knows she’s about to leave the nunnery, but realises she has all these beautiful women by her side. The lyrics include, “I don’t need fame or fortune” and it’s the discovery that out of a crappy situation, she’s made wonderful connections that have changed her life. She now has a more insightful future.
Do you draw on any of your own life experiences in creating the character?
There’s certainly the disco diva moments I bring to the table. I know what it’s like to work in different genres of music and sing in a smoky room where no one’s listening. Deloris wants to break free and become a big star. She’s very cheeky and quick-witted which I thoroughly enjoy playing. If anything, she’s teaching me to be a little more forward and sassier. I’ve always played very grounded and stand-still characters, whereas Deloris continuously moves. She goes through a thousand thoughts a minute and I love stepping into her shoes.
Casey Donovan as Deloris Van Cartier and fellow cast members in Sister Act: The Musical
It’s been twenty years since your Australian Idol win. What are your memories of that?
There’s not very many! Twenty years is a long time to be in and out of this industry and I’m thankful for the people I’ve worked with and learnt from. I’ve come a long way from that sixteen-year-old teenager, who was unsure of herself. Growing up and going through the motions of this industry has taught me resilience. I’ve learnt to be grounded and to breathe in those moments that can feel overwhelming. I’m proud that I’m still here and after twenty years I’m stepping into a leading lady role.
“Taking away the stigma is something that has come through the courage of our older generations.”
You’ve played some brilliant roles already including Cynthia in The Sapphires, Mama Morton in Chicago, Judy in 9 to Five, Joanne in RENT and the fabulous Mama Cass in Flowerchildren. Has there been a favourite?
I can’t pick a favourite as I love every character. They’ve all taught me something and I’ve been able to learn and grow from each. I’ve bled my heart and soul into them and even though I only get to love them for a short time, each one has shown me something about my own life.
Congratulations on your recent engagement to Renee. You must be over the moon.
Thank you very much! It’s been exciting, and I’m very happy with all of the feels. We only had a short window to go away for a weekend before I started on Sister Act!
Do you feel that coming out these days, is almost a non-issue?
Yeah, look I think the community has done amazing things over many generations. For people not having to come out and just be accepted wholeheartedly for who they are, is wonderful. It’s an amazing achievement for the community that has come before us. Taking away the stigma is something that has come through the courage of our older generations. I think that’s a beautiful thing
You must be getting a lot of support from the community regarding your engagement announcement.
The response has been beautiful from everyone. The great thing about love is that it doesn’t discriminate. It’s wonderful that it’s brought joy and happiness to people who have followed my career over the many years. They’ve seen the roller-coaster of a ride that is my life and love life. I’ve had a lot of messages to say how happy people are and that it brought a smile to their faces. That’s very special!
Casey Donovan as Deloris Van Cartier and fellow cast members in Sister Act: The Musical
You also won I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here: Australia. How did you get through those gruelling challenges?
I’m a very adaptive person. I’m a Taurus, so I don’t like change, but I knew the end goal meant whoever won could give their charity of choice $100K and change that charity’s trajectory. That was always in the back of my mind. There were challenges I couldn’t do, but they taught me resilience and strength to think, “I can do this!” and if not, it was okay.
If anything, she’s teaching me to be a little more forward and sassier.
When it comes to music. Do you have your favourite diva?
I love Amy Winehouse and Adele, but I’m inspired by all music. As I’ve gotten into this show, I’ve been getting back into some Seventies disco with Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross and Donna Summer.
What’s been the biggest pinch-yourself moment so far?
I have lots of those moments, but the one thing that sticks out to me was singing alongside Cyndi Lauper when I was her support act on the Memphis Blues Tour. We chatted and I even got a bit of a talking to because I’d lost my voice (Laughing). She was like, “You need to go home and rest!” She was so lovely, and it was certainly a moment I’ll never forget.
Casey Donovan with partner Rene
You also played Angelique in & Juliet, which included a special Mardi Gras performance. That must have also felt special.
It was! & Juliet is an amazing show of diversity and representation in the LGBTQ+ community and I was so proud to be part of it. It’s changing lives and starting conversations. It makes people feel like they belong, which they do, but some people just need that extra push and gentle guidance. I love how & Juliet has been that for so many young people.
Did you meet Max Martin at the opening?
I did! I got to meet him in Melbourne and work with him briefly. It was such a privilege and I think I even made him cry when I sang Fucking Perfect. Max Martin’s music is amazing and the plethora of pop singers he writes for is incredible, and I mean singing Fuckin’ Perfect every night was …
Fucking perfect?
(Laughing) Yes! it was fucking perfect!
For more visit: sisteractthemusical.com.au
Follow Casey on Instagram @caseydonovan88
