Kecia Lewis

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, 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

Television

Theatre

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