Kecia Lewis Explained

Kecia Lewis
Birth Date:June 30, 1963
Education:High School of Performing Arts
Occupation:Actress, singer
Years Active:1980–present

Kecia Lewis, also credited as Kecia Lewis-Evans[1] is an American singer and actress, known primarily for her work on the stage.[2] In 2017, her performance as Sister Rosetta Tharpe in Marie and Rosetta earned her an Obie Award and a nomination for the Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play. In 2006, she was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for her performance as Dorcas in Dessa Rose. Her performance in Hell's Kitchen earned her a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical, a Lucille Lortel Award, a Outer Critics Circle Award, and a Drama Desk Award.[3] [4] [5] [6]

During her career Lewis also starred in films and television series, including recurring roles in Mad About You, The Passage, The Blacklist, and Law & Order.

Life and career

Lewis was born and raised in New York City and is a graduate of the High School of Performing Arts.[7] She made her Broadway debut at 18 years old in the original cast of Dreamgirls, directed by Michael Bennett, where she replaced Sheila Ellis in the role of Edna Burk and was the understudy of Effie Melody White played by Jennifer Holliday.[8] She followed this serving as an understudy for Nell Carter in the revival of Ain't Misbehavin'. In 1990, she originated the role of Asaka in Once on This Island. In 2006, she originated the role of Trix the Aviatrix in The Drowsy Chaperone.

In 2018, she starred as Mrs. Norman in a revival of Children of a Lesser God at the Studio 54.[9] In 2019 Lewis played the recurring role of Tonya on the 2019 follow-up of NBC television series Mad About You.[10] In 2022 she was cast in the Peacock thriller film The Independent.[11]

In 2023 she appeared off-Broadway in the show Hell's Kitchen, originating the role of music educator Miss Liza Jane, and reprised the role on Broadway in 2024, receiving a Tony Award, Drama Desk Award, and Lucille Lortel Award along with a Drama League Award nomination.[12] Lewis also teaches stage and drama acting at the Atlantic Acting School.

Theatre and musical

Lewis had performed in severals Broadway, Off-Broadway and US stage companies.

Broadway productions

TitleYearsRoleLocationNotes
Dreamgirls1981–1985Ensemble / Edna Burke / Effie Melody WhiteImperial TheatreOriginal stage musical

written by Tom Eyen, directed by Michael Bennett, music by Henry Krieger
Big River1985–1987Ensemble / AliceEugene O'Neill TheatreOriginal stage musical

written by William Hauptman, directed by Richard Maltby, Jr., music by Roger Miller
Ain't Misbehavin'1988–1989StandbyAmbassador TheatreStage musical

directed by Richard Maltby, Jr.
The Gospel at Colonus1988ChorusLunt-Fontanne TheatreOriginal stage musical

written and directed by Lee Breuer, Jr., music by Bob Telson
Once on This Island1990–1991AsakaBooth TheatreStage musical
Chicago1996Matron "Mama" MortonAmbassador TheatreStage musical

directed by Rodney Fisher
Dessa Rose2005VariousVivian Beaumont TheaterStage musical
The Drowsy Chaperone2006–2007TrixMarquis TheatreStage musical
Chicago2008Matron "Mama" MortonShubert TheatreStage musical
2009–2010Richard Rodgers TheatreStage musical
Leap of Faith2012Ida Mae RobinsonSt. James TheatreStage musical
Children of a Lesser God2018Mrs. NormanStudio 54Stage play
Hell's Kitchen2024Miss Liza JaneShubert TheatreOriginal stage musical

written by Kristoffer Diaz, directed by Michael Greif, music by Alicia Keys

Off-Broadway productions

TitleYearsRoleLocationNotes
Once on This Island1990–1991AsakaPlaywrights HorizonsStage musical
Alysha2013Queen VictoriaManhattan Theatre ClubStage musical
Mother Courage and Her Children2015–2016Mother CourageClassic Stage CompanyStage play
Marie and Rosetta2016Sister Rosetta TharpeLinda Gross TheaterStage play
The Skin of Our Teeth2017Mrs. AntrobusTheatre for a New AudienceStage play
The Secret Life of Bees2017VariousPowerhouse TheaterStage musical
American Eclipse2022Naomi ButterOpen Jar StudiosStage musical
Hell's Kitchen2024Miss Liza JaneThe Public TheaterStage musical

Other productions

TitleYearsRoleLocationNotes
Louisiana Purchase1999BeatricePasadena PlayhouseStage musical
Shrek the Musical2008Dragon5th Avenue TheatreStage musical
Hairspray2010Motormouth MaybelleBenedum CenterStage musical
Leap of Faith2010Ida Mae SturdevantAhmanson TheatreStage musical
Chicago2011–2012Matron "Mama" MortonNorth American TourStage musical
Sleeping Beauty Wakes2011DoctorLa Jolla PlayhouseStage musical
Berlind Theatre AuditoriumStage musical
Ain't MisbehavinNellLong Wharf TheatreStage musical
Breath and Imagination: The Story of Roland Hayes2013Angel Mo'Hartford Stage TheatreStage musical
City TheatreStage musical
Ain't Misbehavin': The Fats Waller Musical2014NellDelaware Theatre CompanyStage musical
The Little MermaidUrsulaNorth Shore Music TheatreStage musical
Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella2014–2016MarieNorth American TourStage musical
Children of a Lesser God2017Mrs. NormanBerkshire Theatre FestivalStage play
Big NightVariousKirk Douglas TheatreStage play
Goddess2022SitiBerkeley Repertory TheatreStage musical

Filmography

FIlms

TitleYearsRoleNotes
Shelter2014Shelter Worker
Shirley2020Nurse
The Independent2022Tonya

Television

TitleYearsRoleNotes
Law & Order1992LangstromEpisode: "The Fertile Fields"
The Hughleys2000DonnaEpisode: "Love or Money"
Crossing Jordan2002Intake NurseEpisode: "Secrets & Lies: Part 1"
2013–2020Judge Constance Copeland4 episodes
Royal Pains2013NurseEpisode: "Game of Phones"
Limitless2015ChrystalEpisode: "This Is Your Brian on Drugs"
Blue Bloods2016Sandi HarperEpisode: "Town Without Pity"
Unbreakable Kimmy SchmidtStephanieEpisode: "Kimmy Gives Up!"
ConvictionJudge Melissa HindsEpisode: "A Simple Man"
Madam Secretary2017Ms. MoralesEpisode: "Revelation"
SMILF2019Aunt ReneeEpisode: "Smile More if Lying Fails"
Aunt Goldie3 episodes
Mad About YouTonya12 episodes
The PassageLacey Antoine7 episodes
The Blacklist2020–2021Esi Jackson10 episodes
With Love2021MiaEpisode: "Independence Day"
And Just Like That...LauraEpisode: "Tragically Hip"
The Good Fight2022Angela Allen-HellmanEpisode: "The End of STR Laurie"

Awards and nominations

AwardDate of ceremonyCategoryNominee(s)Result
Lucille Lortel Awards2017Outstanding Lead Actress in a PlayMarie and Rosetta
2024Outstanding Featured Performer in a MusicalHell's Kitchen[13]
Drama Desk Award2006Outstanding Featured Actress in a MusicalDessa Rose
2024Outstanding Featured Performance in a MusicalHell's Kitchen[14]
Drama League Awards2024Distinguished PerformanceHell's Kitchen[15] [16]
Obie Award2017Distinguished Performance by an ActressMarie and Rosetta
Outer Critics Circle Awards2024Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway MusicalHell's Kitchen[17]
Tony Awards2024Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a MusicalHell's Kitchen[18]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kecia Lewis-Evans . 2024-04-23 . Broadway.com . en.
  2. News: Soloski . Alexis . January 5, 2016 . Kecia Lewis to Step Into Role of Mother Courage at Classic Stage Company . April 23, 2024 . . 0362-4331.
  3. Web site: Millward . Tom . October 19, 2017 . Kecia Lewis & Rebecca Naomi Jones to star in Atlantic's Marie and Rosetta at Linda Gross Theater . April 23, 2024 . New York Theatre Guide . en.
  4. Web site: Henderson . Kathy . April 22, 2024 . Kecia Lewis, the Backstage ‘Mama’ of Broadway’s Hell’s Kitchen, Has Wisdom to Share . April 24, 2024 . Broadway in Atlanta.
  5. Web site: Myers . Victoria . September 20, 2019 . An Interview with Rebecca Naomi Jones and Kecia Lewis . April 24, 2024 . The Interval.
  6. Web site: January 4, 2016 . Kecia Lewis Assumes Title Role in Off-Broadway's Mother Courage, Replacing Tonya Pinkins . April 24, 2024 . Playbill.
  7. Web site: Production - Once On This Island . April 23, 2024 . Playbill.
  8. Web site: Gans . Andrew . April 26, 2008 . Kecia Lewis-Evans Will Join Broadway's Chicago Prior to Shrek . April 23, 2024 . Playbill.
  9. Web site: Stasio . Marilyn . April 12, 2018 . Broadway Review: Joshua Jackson in ‘Children of a Lesser God’ . May 27, 2024 . Variety.
  10. Web site: Petski . Denise . August 29, 2019 . ‘Mad About You’: Kecia Lewis To Recur In Revival Limited Series For Spectrum Originals . April 24, 2024 . Deadline Hollywood.
  11. Web site: Rooney . David . November 1, 2022 . ‘The Independent’ Review: John Cena, Jodie Turner-Smith and Brian Cox in Tepid Political Thriller . May 27, 2024 . The Hollywood Reporter.
  12. Web site: Kennedy . Mark . May 20, 2024 . Kecia Lewis in Broadway's 'Hell's Kitchen' delivers the soul and earns a Tony Award nomination . May 27, 2024 . ABC News.
  13. Web site: Culwell-Block . Logan . Ars Nova and National Black Theatre's (Pray) Leads 2024 Lucille Lortel Awards; Read the Full List of Winners. . May 6, 2024 . May 5, 2024.
  14. Web site: Rosky . Nicole . 2024 Drama Desk Awards Nominations- The Full List . . April 29, 2024 . April 29, 2024.
  15. Web site: Culwell-Block . Logan . 2024 Drama League Awards Nominations Are Out; Read the Full List. Playbill. April 22, 2024 . April 22, 2024.
  16. Web site: April 22, 2024 . 2024 Drama League Awards . April 22, 2024 . Drama League Awards.
  17. Web site: Culwell-Block . Logan . 2024-05-13 . Stereophonic Leads 2024 Outer Critics Circle Awards, Wins Best Play; See the Full List of Winners . 2024-05-13 . Playbill . en-US.
  18. Web site: Huston . Caitlin . April 30, 2024 . ‘Stereophonic,’ Alicia Keys’ ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ Lead Tony Award Nominations . April 30, 2024 . The Hollywood Reporter.

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