Apr 26, 20 but valisia lekae, a vet of phenoms like the book of mormon, has earned raves for her uncanny performance of hits like where did our love go and aint no mountain high enough. The book of mormon national tour san francisco december 27, 2012. Aug 27, 2012 brandon victor dixon, a tony nominee for the color purple, and valisia lekae, an understudy in the book of mormon and ragtime, will star as berry gordy and diana ross on broadway in motown. The musical, which tells the tale of founder berry gordy and his relationship with the supremes singer. In sweet lorraine play, actress valisia lekae immortalizes. Picking up the phone, she assumed he was ringing her to check on how she was recovering post surgery after all, she had a 6centimeter cyst removed from her abdomen only 10 days prior but he wasnt. Trey parkerthe book of mormon matt stone south park 2011.
The book reveals no eyeopening or earpricking insights into gordys dealings with his real family or recording family except perhaps for diana ross of the supremes a sensational performance by valisia lekae. The production, which officially opens april 14, stars tony nominee brandon victor dixon the color purple and valisia lekae the book of mormon as gordy and ross. The musical, book by berry gordy, playing at the luntfontanne theatre from 11 mar 20. Shes paid her dues as a swing, understudy and ensemble member in the book of mormon, the threepenny opera, 110 in the shade and. Valisia lekae launched her broadway career as a swing in the threepenny opera in 2006 before joining the companies of 110 in the shade, ragtime and the book of mormon. She prepared for her new role by reading gordys 1995 memoir to be loved, as well as ross autobiography, secrets of a sparrow. Darlesia cearcy, kevin duda cunninghams dadelder neeleyhitler, valisia lekae mrs. Valisia lekae talks about playing diana ross in motown the. The book of mormon is giving away free comiccon tickets. Charles randolphwright is directing the production. Brown swing, clark johnsen elder michaels, benjamin schrader elder schrader.
Valisia lekae ensemble was nominated for grammy and tony awards for her. The book of mormon mar 24, 2011 present understudy. Sep 21, 2019 valisia lekae is a grammy and tonynominated singer and actress who performed as diana ross in the broadway musical motown. The producers announced in august that tony award nominee brandon victor dixon the color purple will star as berry gordy opposite valisia lekae the book of mormon as diana ross.
Afterward, lekae had no problem getting into the union and booking subsequent gigs. Motown the musical tickets motown the musical tour 2020. Mar 22, 20 the production stars tony nominee brandon victor dixon the color purple and valisia lekae the book of mormon as gordy and ross. Brian sears, jason michael snow, lawrence stallings, valisia lekae in maia nkenge wilsons track, tommar wilson guard. Picking up the phone, she assumed he was ringing her to check on how she was recovering post surgery after all, she had a 6centimeter cyst removed. Lekae has appeared in the book of mormon and ragtime. The production stars tony nominee brandon victor dixon the color purple and valisia lekae the book of mormon as gordy and ross. A native of memphis, lekae has appeared in broadway productions such as the book of mormon, the threepenny opera, 110 in the shade, and ragtime. The quad is the main character set who have made the success story of legendary group a real treat to watch. She was the swing understudy for the book of mormon.
Justin bohon, darlesia cearcy, clark johnsen, valisia lekae, benjamin schrader, brian sears, lawrence stallings, maia nkenge wilson. Brandon victor dixon and valisia lekae will star in the broadway premiere of motown. Usa today lekae nails the understated intensity of diana ross. Advice may 7, 2020 a message from the publisher editorials may 7, 2020 cdc center for disease control being forced to lie about numbers health may 7, 2020 covid exposes how blacks are in danger in medical facilities. Valisia lekae talks about playing diana ross in motown. The broadway actress, formerly of the book of mormon, is starring as none other than diana ross in. The musical, life story of berry gordy, to open on. The actress valisia lekae, who earned a tony award nomination this year for her breakout performance as diana ross in motown. She was nominated for a 2014 grammy award and in 20 she was nominated for the tony award for best lead actress in a musical both for her performance as diana ross in the broadway musical motown. Three penny opera, 110 in the shade, ragtime, and the book of mormon. Jul 14, 2014 valisia lekae was playing diana ross in motown the musical when a visit to the doctor changed everything.
Brandon victor dixon berry gordy, valisa lekae diana ross, charl brown smokey robinson, bryan terrell clark marvin gaye raymond luke, jr jibreel mawry young berrysteview, michael. Broadway actress valisia lekae receives accomplished. He came to see my show, which was book of mormon at the time. Lekae has appeared on broadway in the book of mormon, ragtime, 110 in the shade and the threepenny opera. The book of mormon ozianeponine musical trading site. The musical picks its stars to play berry gordy and. The memphis native was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 20 while performing in motown, and left the show in december of that year for treatment. Lekae has appeared in the broadway musicals the book of mormon, ragtime, 110 in the shade and the threepenny opera. Lekae s credits include the book of mormon and ragtime. Valisia lekae from the famed comedy hit the book of mormon plays diana ross, charl brown plays smokey robinson and bryan terrell clark plays the role of marvin gaye. Jan 29, 2012 the book of mormon ive always had the hope. Scott barnhardt, justin bohon, darlesia cearcy, clark johnsen, valisia lekae, benjamin schrader, brian sears, lawrence stallings, maia nkenge wilson.
Prologue begins at the line i am mormon broadway 3 august 2012 stephen mark lukas standby. The book of mormon will present an extra matinee performance, to be offered to fans of the show for free, according to variety. Lekae has a beautiful soprano voice, which she uses to lovely effect during your daddys son and, especially, sarah brown eyes. The musical on broadway, has left the show to undergo surgery and chemotherapy to battle ovarian cancer, she and the producers announced on tuesday. But valisia lekae, a vet of phenoms like the book of mormon, has earned raves for her uncanny performance of hits like where did our love go and aint no mountain high enough. Valisia lekae born september 25, 1979 is an american actress and singer. The broadway actress, formerly of the book of mormon, is starring as none other than diana ross in motown. Sweet lorraine stars tony and grammy award nominee valisia lekae motown the musical, the book of mormon as lorraine hansberry and christopher augustin dreamgirls, mother emmanuel as james.
May 4, 2011, broadway tracked josh gad elder cunningham. Lekae, a broadway veteran who has appeared in the book of mormon and ragtime among others, worried about losing her composure when it came time to visit studio a, the famed space in which. Valisia lekae has been blessed to grace the broadway stage numerous times in productions of the threepenny opera, 110 in the shade, ragtime, and the book of mormon. The musical on broadway, has left the show to undergo surgery and chemotherapy to battle ovarian cancer, she and. James nabalungi rory omalley elder mckinley, michael potts mafala hatimbi. Valisia lekae as sarah, whose beauty and tragic knack for bad decisions drives much of the shows dramatic action. Boswell is temporarily replacing the tonynominated original cast member valisia lekae who is taking a sixweek leave of absence, returning to the cast on 23 sep 20. Scott barnhardt, justin bohen, darlesia cearcy, clark johnsen, valisia lekae, benjamine schrader, brian sears. James nabulungi, rory omalley elder mckinley, michael potts mafala hatimbi, brian tyree henry general, lewis cleale joseph smithprices dadmission president, kevin duda cunninghams dad. The book of mormon, and the threepenny opera, singer and actress valisia lekae landed a breakout role in 2011 as diana ross in the smash hit motown. Valisia lekae 01 after 10 years of paying her dues in the new york theater world as an ensemble member and understudy in broadway shows like ragtime, 110 in the shade, the book of mormon, and the threepenny opera, singer and actress valisia lekae landed a breakout role in 2011 as diana ross in the smash hit motown.
Valisia lekae channels the sound and look of diana ross. Aug 15, 20 felicia boswell stepped into the role of diana ross on aug 20 in the broadway show motown the musical. Matt doyle elder price, jon bass elder cunningham, rory omalley elder mckinley, nikki m. We congratulate valisia on her extraordinary accomplishments so early in her career. She recently starred as diana ross in motown the musical, for which she garnered a 2014 grammy nomination, 20 tony nomination, theatre world award, drama league nomination, and an outer critics circle nomination. He told me that the cyst had come back positive for ovarian cancer, she says. The very appealing valisia lekae the book of mormon channels diana ross manners and voice to play the supreme being. Previously, she was a swing and understudy in the broadway productions of the book of mormon 2011, ragtime 2009 for which she was the winner. The musical book by berry gordy directed by charles randolph wright music and lyrics from the legendary motown catalog cast. Nabulungi replacement apr 04, 2011 apr 08, 2012 swing. This comes after the new musical by south park creators earned. James nabulungi, michael potts mafala hatimbi rory omalleys last show the book of mormon 050220, 1nt.
Valisia lekae was playing diana ross in motown the musical when a visit to the doctor changed everything. Lekae disclosed her diagnosis and treatment plans on her facebook page, and urged other women to educate and. Motown the musical tony award nominee valisia lekae nbcs. Previously, she was a swing and understudy in the broadway productions of the book of mormon 2011, ragtime 2009 for which she was the winner of a joseph jefferson award, and the threepenny opera 2006 and a performer in 110 in the shade 2007. Valisia lekae is a grammy and tonynominated singer and actress who. James nabalungi rory omalley elder mckinley michael potts mafala hatimbe. Sep 09, 20 we congratulate valisia on her extraordinary accomplishments so early in her career. An ensemble actor who has performed in musicals such as the book of mormon and. Trey parkerthe book of mormon matt stone south park.
Valisia lekae departing motown for health reasons the. She brings a blast of spontaneity recreating ross solo las vegas concert. She is now living cancerfree on the upper west side of manhattan with her husband. Jun 02, 2018 valisia lekae received a lifechanging phone call from her gynecologist on december 2, 20. Kevin duda cunninghams dadelder neeleyhitler, valisia lekae mrs. Sweet lorraine stars tony and grammy award nominee valisia lekae motown the musical, the book of mormon as lorraine hansberry and.
Valisia lekae received a lifechanging phone call from her gynecologist on december 2, 20. Prebroadway composers demo, 2010, 15 tracks broadway eugene oneill theatre in new york, 91111m andrew rannells elder price, josh gad elder cunningham, nikki m. Josh gad elder cunningham andrew rannells elder price asmeret ghebremichael us nabalungi rory omalley elder mckinley jason michael snow, lewis cleale, kevin duda, rema webb lyons, john eric parker, michael potts, brian tyree henry, michael james scott, scott barnhardt, justin bohen, darlesia cearcy, clark johnsen, valisia lekae. Dec 17, 20 the actress valisia lekae, who earned a tony award nomination this year for her breakout performance as diana ross in motown. Replacement apr 04, 2011 apr 08, 2012 musicalcomedyoriginal. Boswell is temporarily replacing the tonynominated original cast member valisia lekae who is taking a sixweek leave of absence, returning to the cast on 23 sep 20 felicia boswell understudied the leading female role of felicia in the broadway premiere of memphis, and went on.
The musical on broadway, has left the show to undergo surgery and chemotherapy to battle ovarian cancer, she and the producers announced on tuesday ms. Valisia lekae returns to the new york stage in world premiere. May 7, 2020 following is an update from the city of fort lauderdale on the coronavirus covid19. Other regional credits include caroline, or change. Broadway actress valisia lekae receives accomplished alumni. The musical and the book of mormon as lavern baker. Valisia lekae is a grammy and tonynominated singer and actress who performed as diana ross in the broadway musical motown.
Valisia lekae launched her broadway career as a swing in the threepenny opera in. Leading the company are tony nominee brandon victor dixon the color purple and valisia lekae the book of mormon as berry gordy and diana ross, with charl brown sister act as smokey robinson. Shop trey parkerthe book of mormon matt stone south park 2011 broadway playbill and more music, movie, and tv memorabilia at amazons entertainment collectibles store. Felicia boswell stepped into the role of diana ross on aug 20 in the broadway show motown the musical. Lekae was born and raised in memphis, tennessee, and. Jason michael snow, lawrence stallings, valisia lekae in maia nkenge wilsons track, tommar wilson guard. Gordy said the show will help audiences rediscover and remember the influence that his stable of pop stars had on american music and culture. Aug 27, 2012 lekae has appeared in the book of mormon and ragtime. Earlier this year, valisia lekae made a splash on the great white way in what many thought was to be the role of her lifetime as diana ross in motown the musical. Brandon victor dixon, a tony nominee for the color purple, and valisia lekae, an understudy in the book of mormon and ragtime, will star as berry gordy and diana ross on broadway in motown. James, rory omalley, michael potts, benjamin schrader, michael james scott, scott barnhardt, justin bohon, darlesia cearcy, lewis cleale, kevin duda, brian sears the book of mormon 06062011, broadway the book of mormon. Watch napping new york city, its vibrant street life on pause may 5, 2020.
Valisia lekae returns to the new york stage in world. After treatment including chemotherapy, lekae whose other broadway credits include the book of mormon, ragtime and the threepenny. The book of mormon ive always had the hope that on the day i go to heaven. Valisia lekae departing motown for health reasons the new. Watch hollywood netflix cast at stars in the house. Valisia lekae returns to the new york stage in world premiere of. Fans will be transported into the world of south park as they walk into the 15,000 square foot ultimate fan experience located at 450 2nd avenue at 1st avenue. Mar 19, 20 the production, which officially opens april 14, stars tony nominee brandon victor dixon the color purple and valisia lekae the book of mormon as gordy and ross.
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