Kecia Lewis, also credited as Kecia Lewis-Evans is an American singer and actress. Lewis made her Broadway debut as a replacement in the musical Big River (1985), followed by roles in Once on This Island (1990), Leap of Faith (2012), and Hell's Kitchen (2024), the latter of which earned her the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical.
Life and career Early years and education Lewis was born and raised in New York City and is a graduate of the High School of Performing Arts.
Career Lewis made her Broadway debut at the age of 18 when she joined the original production of Dreamgirls as a replacement for the role of Edna Burke and understudy for the role of Effie White. She served 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 Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical 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. In 2019, Lewis played the recurring role of Tonya on the 2019 follow-up of NBC television series Mad About You. In 2022, she was cast in the Peacock thriller film The Independent.
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. 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.
In 2026, she is set to appear as a performer in the Off-Broadway revival of Whoopi Goldberg's The Whoopi Monologues at Lincoln Center Theatre. Directed by Whitney White she will star alongside Kerry Washington, Kara Young, Dominique Fishback and Danielle Pinnock.
Acting credits Film YearsTitleRoleNotes2014ShelterShelter Worker2020ShirleyNurse2022The IndependentTonya
Television YearsTitleRoleNotesRef.1992Law & Order Langstrom Episode: "The Fertile Fields"2000The Hughleys Donna Episode: "Love or Money"2002Crossing Jordan Intake Nurse Episode: "Secrets & Lies: Part 1"2013–2020Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Judge Constance Copeland 4 episodes2013Royal Pains Nurse Episode: "Game of Phones"2015Limitless Chrystal Episode: "This Is Your Brian on Drugs"2016Blue Bloods Sandi Harper Episode: "Town Without Pity"Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt Stephanie Episode: "Kimmy Gives Up!"Conviction Judge Melissa Hinds Episode: "A Simple Man"2017Madam Secretary Ms. Morales Episode: "Revelation"2019SMILF Aunt Renee Episode: "Smile More if Lying Fails"Wu-Tang: An American Saga Aunt Goldie 3 episodesMad About You Tonya 12 episodesThe Passage Lacey Antoine 7 episodes2020–2021The Blacklist Esi Jackson 10 episodes2021With Love Mia Episode: "Independence Day"And Just Like That... Laura Episode: "Tragically Hip"2022The Good Fight Angela Allen-Hellman Episode: "The End of STR Laurie"2025Sub/liminalPaulson2 episodes
Theatre YearsTitleRoleVenueRef.1985–1987Big River Ensemble / Alice (replacement) Eugene O'Neill Theatre, Broadway 1988–1989Ain't Misbehavin' Standby Ambassador Theatre, Broadway 1990–1991Once on This IslandAsaka Playwrights Horizons, Off-Broadway Booth Theatre, Broadway 2005 Dessa Rose Janet / Gemina / Field Hand / Dorcas Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater, Off-Broadway2006–2007The Drowsy Chaperone Trix Marquis Theatre, Broadway 2008 Shrek the Musical Dragon 5th Avenue TheatreKecia Lewis AboutTheArtists 2008–2010Chicago Matron "Mama" Morton (replacement) Shubert Theatre, Broadway 2010 Hairspray Motormouth Maybelle Benedum Center 2011–2012Chicago Matron "Mama" Morton (replacement) US National Tour2012Leap of Faith Ida Mae Robinson St. James Theatre, Broadway 2014 The Little Mermaid Ursula North Shore Music Theatre 2014–2015 Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella Marie US National Tour2016 Mother Courage and Her Children Mother Courage (replacement) Classic Stage Company, Off-Broadway Marie and Rosetta Sister Rosetta Tharpe Atlantic Theater Company, Off-Broadway2017Children of a Lesser GodMrs. Norman Berkshire Theatre Festival2018 Studio 54, Broadway 2023–2024Hell's KitchenMiss Liza Jane The Public Theater, Off-Broadway 2024–2025 Shubert Theatre, Broadway 2026The Whoopi MonologuesPerformerMitzi E. Newhouse Theatre, Off-Broadway
Awards and nominations Year Association Category Nominee(s) Result 2024Drama Desk Award Outstanding Featured Performance in a MusicalHell's Kitchen Drama League Awards Distinguished Performance Lucille Lortel Awards Outstanding Featured Performer in a Musical Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway Musical Tony Awards Best Featured Actress in a Musical Grammy Awards Best Musical Theater Album
See also African-American Tony nominees and winners References
External links