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Kecia Lewis

{{short description|American actress}}

{{Infobox person

| name = Kecia Lewis

| image = Kecia Lewis in 2024.jpg

| caption = Lewis at the 77th Tony Awards 2024

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1965|6|30}}

| birth_place = Bronx, NY

| education = High School of Performing Arts NYU, Tisch School of the Arts

| occupation = Actress, singer

| nationality =

| spouse =

| children =

| years_active = 1980–present

}}

Kecia Lewis, also credited as Kecia Lewis-Evans{{Cite web |title=Kecia Lewis-Evans |url=https://www.broadway.com/shows/kecia-lewis-evans/ |access-date=2024-04-23 |website=Broadway.com |language=en}} is an American singer and actress, known primarily for her work on the stage.{{Cite news |last=Soloski |first=Alexis |date=January 5, 2016 |title=Kecia Lewis to Step Into Role of Mother Courage at Classic Stage Company |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/06/theater/kecia-lewis-to-step-into-role-of-mother-courage-at-classic-stage-company.html |access-date=April 23, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language= |issn=0362-4331}} Lewis made her Broadway debut as a replacement in the musical Big River (1985). She has since returned to Broadway in the musicals Once on This Island (1990), Leap of Faith (2012), and Hell's Kitchen (2024), the later of which earned her the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical.{{Cite web |last=Millward |first=Tom |date=October 19, 2017 |title=Kecia Lewis & Rebecca Naomi Jones to star in Atlantic's Marie and Rosetta at Linda Gross Theater |url=https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatre-news/news/rebecca-naomi-jones-kecia-lewis-are-marie-and-rosetta |access-date=April 23, 2024 |website=New York Theatre Guide |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Henderson |first=Kathy |date=April 22, 2024 |title=Kecia Lewis, the Backstage 'Mama' of Broadway's Hell's Kitchen, Has Wisdom to Share |url=https://atlanta.broadway.com/buzz/kecia-lewis-the-backstage-mama-of-broadways-hells-kitchen-has-wisdom-to-share/ |access-date=April 24, 2024 |website=Broadway in Atlanta}}{{Cite web |last=Myers |first=Victoria |date=September 20, 2019 |title=An Interview with Rebecca Naomi Jones and Kecia Lewis |url=https://www.theintervalny.com/interviews/2016/09/an-interview-with-rebecca-naomi-jones-and-kecia-lewis/ |access-date=April 24, 2024 |website=The Interval}}{{Cite web |date=January 4, 2016 |title=Kecia Lewis Assumes Title Role in Off-Broadway's Mother Courage, Replacing Tonya Pinkins |url=https://playbill.com/article/kecia-lewis-assumes-title-role-in-off-broadways-mother-courage-replacing-tonya-pinkins-com-377402 |access-date=April 24, 2024 |website=Playbill}}

Early life

Lewis was born and raised in New York City and is a graduate of the High School of Performing Arts.{{Cite web |title=Production - Once On This Island |url=https://www.playbill.com/production/once-on-this-island-booth-theatre-vault-0000001681#carousel-cell126764 |access-date=April 23, 2024 |website=Playbill}}

Career

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.{{Cite web |last=Gans |first=Andrew |date=April 26, 2008 |title=Kecia Lewis-Evans Will Join Broadway's Chicago Prior to Shrek |url=https://playbill.com/article/kecia-lewis-evans-will-join-broadways-chicago-prior-to-shrek-com-147938 |access-date=April 23, 2024 |website=Playbill}} 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 2006, she was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for her performance as Dorcas in Dessa Rose.

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 2018, she starred as Mrs. Norman in a revival of Children of a Lesser God at the Studio 54.{{Cite web |last=Stasio |first=Marilyn |date=April 12, 2018 |title=Broadway Review: Joshua Jackson in 'Children of a Lesser God' |url=https://variety.com/2018/legit/reviews/children-of-a-lesser-god-review-joshua-jackson-1202747928/ |access-date=May 27, 2024 |website=Variety}} In 2019 Lewis played the recurring role of Tonya on the 2019 follow-up of NBC television series Mad About You.{{Cite web |last=Petski |first=Denise |date=August 29, 2019 |title='Mad About You': Kecia Lewis To Recur In Revival Limited Series For Spectrum Originals |url=https://deadline.com/2019/08/mad-about-you-kecia-lewis-recur-revival-limited-series-spectrum-originals-1202707245/ |access-date=April 24, 2024 |website=Deadline Hollywood}} In 2022 she was cast in the Peacock thriller film The Independent.{{Cite web |last=Rooney |first=David |date=November 1, 2022 |title='The Independent' Review: John Cena, Jodie Turner-Smith and Brian Cox in Tepid Political Thriller |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/the-independent-john-cena-brian-cox-jodie-turner-smith-peacock-1235252483/ |access-date=May 27, 2024 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}

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.{{Cite web |last=Kennedy |first=Mark |date=May 20, 2024 |title=Kecia Lewis in Broadway's 'Hell's Kitchen' delivers the soul and earns a Tony Award nomination |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/kecia-lewis-broadways-hells-kitchen-delivers-soul-earns-110402813 |access-date=May 27, 2024 |website=ABC News}} Lewis also teaches stage and drama acting at the Atlantic Acting School. 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.

Acting credits

= Film =

class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"

! scope="col" |Years

! scope="col" |Title

! scope="col" |Role

! scope="col" |Notes

style="text-align:center;" |2014

! scope="row" |Shelter

| style="text-align:center;" |Shelter Worker

| style="text-align:center;" |

style="text-align:center;" |2020

! scope="row" |Shirley

| style="text-align:center;" |Nurse

| style="text-align:center;" |

style="text-align:center;" |2022

! scope="row" |The Independent

| style="text-align:center;" |Tonya

| style="text-align:center;" |

= Television =

class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"

! scope="col" |Years

! scope="col" |Title

! scope="col" |Role

! scope="col" |Notes

! class=unsortable|Ref.

style="text-align:center;" |1992

! scope="row" |Law & Order

| Langstrom

| Episode: "The Fertile Fields"

| style="text-align:center;" |

style="text-align:center;" |2000

! scope="row" |The Hughleys

| Donna

| Episode: "Love or Money"

| style="text-align:center;" |

style="text-align:center;" |2002

! scope="row" |Crossing Jordan

| Intake Nurse

| Episode: "Secrets & Lies: Part 1"

| style="text-align:center;" |

style="text-align:center;" |2013–2020

! scope="row" |Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

| Judge Constance Copeland

| 4 episodes

| style="text-align:center;" |

style="text-align:center;" |2013

! scope="row" |Royal Pains

| Nurse

| Episode: "Game of Phones"

| style="text-align:center;" |

style="text-align:center;" |2015

! scope="row" |Limitless

| Chrystal

| Episode: "This Is Your Brian on Drugs"

| style="text-align:center;" |

rowspan="3", style="text-align:center;" |2016

! scope="row" |Blue Bloods

| Sandi Harper

| Episode: "Town Without Pity"

| style="text-align:center;" |

scope="row" |Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

| Stephanie

| Episode: "Kimmy Gives Up!"

| style="text-align:center;" |

scope="row" |Conviction

| Judge Melissa Hinds

| Episode: "A Simple Man"

| style="text-align:center;" |

style="text-align:center;" |2017

! scope="row" |Madam Secretary

| Ms. Morales

| Episode: "Revelation"

| style="text-align:center;" |

rowspan="4" style="text-align:center;" |2019

! scope="row" |SMILF

| Aunt Renee

| Episode: "Smile More if Lying Fails"

| style="text-align:center;" |

scope="row" |Wu-Tang: An American Saga

| Aunt Goldie

| 3 episodes

| style="text-align:center;" |

scope="row" |Mad About You

| Tonya

| 12 episodes

| style="text-align:center;" |

scope="row" |The Passage

| Lacey Antoine

| 7 episodes

| style="text-align:center;" |

style="text-align:center;" |2020–2021

! scope="row" |The Blacklist

| Esi Jackson

| 10 episodes

| style="text-align:center;" |

rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|2021

! scope="row" |With Love

| Mia

| Episode: "Independence Day"

| style="text-align:center;" |

scope="row" |And Just Like That...

| Laura

| Episode: "Tragically Hip"

| style="text-align:center;" |

style="text-align:center;" |2022

! scope="row" |The Good Fight

| Angela Allen-Hellman

| Episode: "The End of STR Laurie"

| style="text-align:center;" |

= Theatre =

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

class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"

! scope="col" |Years

! scope="col" |Title

! scope="col" |Role

! scope="col" |Venue

! class=unsortable|Ref.

1981–1985

! scope="row" |Dreamgirls

| Ensemble / Edna Burke
Effie Melody White

| Imperial Theatre, Broadway

| style="text-align:center;" |

style="text-align:center;" |1985–1987

! scope="row" |Big River

| Ensemble / Alice

| Eugene O'Neill Theatre, Broadway

| style="text-align:center;" | {{cite web|url= https://playbill.com/production/big-river-eugene-oneill-theatre-vault-0000004707|title= Big River (Broadway, 1985)|website= Playbill|accessdate= November 3, 2024}}

style="text-align:center;" |1988–1989

! scope="row" |Ain't Misbehavin'

| Standby

| Ambassador Theatre, Broadway

| style="text-align:center;" | {{cite web|url= https://playbill.com/production/aint-misbehavin-ambassador-theatre-vault-0000000981|title= Ain't Misbehavin' (Broadway, 1988)|website= Playbill|accessdate= November 3, 2024}}

style="text-align:center;" |1988

! scope="row" |The Gospel at Colonus

| Chorus

| Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, Broadway

| style="text-align:center;" |

style="text-align:center;" |1990–1991

! scope="row" |Once on This Island

| Asaka

| Playwrights Horizons, Off-Broadway

| style="text-align:center;" |

style="text-align:center;" |1990–1991

! scope="row" |Once on This Island

| Asaka

| Booth Theatre, Broadway

| style="text-align:center;" | {{cite web|url= https://playbill.com/production/once-on-this-island-booth-theatre-vault-0000001681|title= Once on This Island (Broadway, 1990)|website= Playbill|accessdate= November 3, 2024}}

style="text-align:center;" |1996

! scope="row" |Chicago

| Matron "Mama" Morton

| Ambassador Theatre, Broadway

| style="text-align:center;" |{{cite web|url= https://playbill.com/production/chicago-richard-rodgers-theatre-vault-0000003074|title= Chicago (Broadway, 1996)|website= Playbill|accessdate= November 3, 2024}}

style="text-align:center;" |1999

!scope="row" |Louisiana Purchase

| Beatrice

| Pasadena Playhouse, California

| style="text-align:center;" |

style="text-align:center;" |2005

! scope="row" |Dessa Rose

| Various

| Vivian Beaumont Theater, Broadway

| style="text-align:center;" |

style="text-align:center;" |2006–2007

! scope="row" |The Drowsy Chaperone

| Trix

| Marquis Theatre, Broadway

| style="text-align:center;" | {{cite web|url= https://playbill.com/production/the-drowsy-chaperone-marquis-theatre-vault-0000008180|title= The Drowsy Chaperone (Broadway, 2006)|website= Playbill|accessdate= November 3, 2024}}

style="text-align:center;" | 2008

! scope="row" |Shrek the Musical

| Dragon

| 5th Avenue Theatre, Washington

| style="text-align:center;" |

style="text-align:center;"| 2008

! rowspan="2" scope="row" |Chicago

| rowspan=2| Matron "Mama" Morton

| Shubert Theatre, Broadway

| style="text-align:center;" |

style="text-align:center;" |2009–2010

| Richard Rodgers Theatre, Broadway

| style="text-align:center;" |

style="text-align:center;" |2010

! scope="row" |Hairspray

| Motormouth Maybelle

| Benedum Center, Pennsylvania

| style="text-align:center;" |

style="text-align:center;" |2010

! scope="row" |Leap of Faith

| Ida Mae Sturdevant

| Ahmanson Theatre, California

| style="text-align:center;" |

style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2" |2011

! rowspan="1" scope="row" |Sleeping Beauty Wakes

| rowspan="1"|Doctor

| La Jolla Playhouse, California

| style="text-align:center;" |

scope="row" |Ain't Misbehavin'

| Nell

| Long Wharf Theatre, Connecticut

| style="text-align:center;" |

style="text-align:center;" |2011–2012

! scope="row" |Chicago

| Matron "Mama" Morton

| North American Tour

| style="text-align:center;" |

style="text-align:center;" |2012

! scope="row" |Leap of Faith

| Ida Mae Robinson

| St. James Theatre, Broadway

| style="text-align:center;" | {{cite web|url= https://playbill.com/production/leap-of-faith-st-james-theatre-vault-0000013867|title= Leap of Faith (Broadway, 2012)|website= Playbill|accessdate= November 3, 2024}}

rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |2014

! scope="row" |Ain't Misbehavin': The Fats Waller Musical

| Nell

| Delaware Theatre Company

| style="text-align:center;" |

scope="row" |The Little Mermaid

| Ursula

| North Shore Music Theatre,

| style="text-align:center;" |

style="text-align:center;" |2014–2016

! scope="row" |Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella

| Marie

| North American Tour

| style="text-align:center;" |

style="text-align:center;" |2015–2016

! scope="row" |Mother Courage and Her Children

| Mother Courage

| Classic Stage Company, Off-Broadway

| style="text-align:center;" |

style="text-align:center;" |2016

! scope="row" |Marie and Rosetta

| Sister Rosetta Tharpe

| Linda Gross Theater, Off-Broadway

| style="text-align:center;" |

style="text-align:center;" |2017

! scope="row" |The Skin of Our Teeth

| Mrs. Antrobus

| Theatre for a New Audience, Off-Broadway

| style="text-align:center;" |

style="text-align:center;", rowspan=3 |2017

! scope="row" |The Secret Life of Bees

| Various

| Powerhouse Theater, Off-Broadway

| style="text-align:center;" |

scope="row" |Children of a Lesser God

| Mrs. Norman

| Berkshire Theatre Festival

| style="text-align:center;" |

scope="row" |Big Night

| Various

| Kirk Douglas Theatre, California

| style="text-align:center;" |

style="text-align:center;" |2018

! scope="row" |Children of a Lesser God

| Mrs. Norman

| Studio 54, Broadway

| style="text-align:center;" | {{cite web|url= https://playbill.com/production/children-of-a-lesser-god-studio-54-2017-2018|title= Children of a Lesser God (Broadway, 2018)|website= Playbill|accessdate= November 3, 2024}}

style="text-align:center;", rowspan=2|2022

! scope="row" |American Eclipse

| Naomi Butter

| Open Jar Studios, Off-Broadway

| style="text-align:center;" |

scope="row" |Goddess

| Siti

| Berkeley Repertory Theatre

| style="text-align:center;" |

style="text-align:center;" |2024

! scope="row", rowspan=2|Hell's Kitchen

| rowspan=2 |Miss Liza Jane

| The Public Theater, Off-Broadway

| style="text-align:center;" |

style="text-align:center;" |2024

| Shubert Theatre, Broadway

| style="text-align:center;" | {{cite web|url= https://playbill.com/production/hells-kitchen-broadway-sam-s-shubert-theatre-2024|title= Hell's Kitchen (Broadway, 2024)|website= Playbill|accessdate= November 3, 2024}}

Awards and nominations

class="wikitable sortable"

! scope="col"| Year

! scope="col"| Association

! scope="col"| Category

! scope="col"| Nominee(s)

! scope="col"| Result

! scope="col" class="unsortable"| {{Refh}}

2017

|rowspan="2"|Lucille Lortel Awards

| Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play

| Marie and Rosetta

| {{nom}}

|

2024

| Outstanding Featured Performer in a Musical

| Hell's Kitchen

| {{won}}

|{{cite web |last1=Culwell-Block |first1=Logan |title=Ars Nova and National Black Theatre's (Pray) Leads 2024 Lucille Lortel Awards; Read the Full List of Winners|url=https://www.playbill.com/article/ars-nova-and-national-black-theatres-pray-leads-2024-lucille-lortel-awards-read-the-full-list-of-winners |website=Playbill |access-date=May 6, 2024 |date=May 5, 2024}}

2006

|rowspan="2"|Drama Desk Award

| Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical

|Dessa Rose

| {{nom}}

|

2024

| Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical

|Hell's Kitchen

| {{won}}

|{{cite web |last1=Rosky |first1=Nicole |title=2024 Drama Desk Awards Nominations- The Full List |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/2024-Drama-Desk-Awards-Nominations--The-Full-List-20240429|website=BroadwayWorld.com |access-date=April 29, 2024 |date=April 29, 2024}}

2024

|Drama League Awards

| Distinguished Performance

| Hell's Kitchen

| {{Nominated}}

|{{cite web |last1=Culwell-Block |first1=Logan |title=2024 Drama League Awards Nominations Are Out; Read the Full List|url=https://playbill.com/article/2024-drama-league-awards-nominations-are-out-read-the-full-list |website=Playbill|date=April 22, 2024 |access-date=April 22, 2024}}{{Cite web |date=April 22, 2024 |title=2024 Drama League Awards |url=https://dramaleague.org/2024awards |access-date=April 22, 2024 |website=Drama League Awards}}

2017

|Obie Award

| Distinguished Performance by an Actress

| Marie and Rosetta

| {{won}}

|

2024

|Outer Critics Circle Awards

| Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway Musical

|rowspan="3"|Hell's Kitchen

| {{won}}

|{{Cite web |last=Culwell-Block |first=Logan |date=2024-05-13 |title=Stereophonic Leads 2024 Outer Critics Circle Awards, Wins Best Play; See the Full List of Winners |url=https://playbill.com/article/stereophonic-leads-2024-outer-critics-circle-awards-wins-best-play-see-the-full-list-of-winners |access-date=2024-05-13 |website=Playbill |language=en-US}}

2024

|Tony Awards

|Best Featured Actress in a Musical

| {{won}}

|{{Cite web |last=Huston |first=Caitlin |date=April 30, 2024 |title='Stereophonic,' Alicia Keys' 'Hell's Kitchen' Lead Tony Award Nominations |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/arts/tony-awards-2024-nominations-nominees-list-1235886718/ |access-date=April 30, 2024 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}

2025

|Grammy Awards

|Best Musical Theater Album

|{{Won}}

|{{Cite web |title=2025 GRAMMYs: See The OFFICIAL Full Nominations List {{!}} GRAMMY.com |url=https://www.grammy.com/news/2025-grammys-nominations-full-winners-nominees-list |access-date=2024-12-31 |website=grammy.com}}

References

{{reflist}}

External links

  • {{IBDB name|98966}}
  • {{IOBDB name|27876}}
  • {{IMDb name|3101256}}

{{Navboxes

|title = Awards for Kecia Lewis

|list =

{{DramaDesk MusicalFeaturedPerformance}}

{{TonyAward MusicalFeaturedActress}}

}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lewis, Kecia}}

Category:Living people

Category:American stage actresses

Category:The High School of Music & Art alumni

Category:20th-century African-American women singers

Category:20th-century American women singers

Category:20th-century American singers

Category:21st-century African-American women singers

Category:21st-century American women singers

Category:African-American actresses

Category:American musical theatre actresses

Category:Grammy Award winners

Category:1963 births

Category:Tony Award winners