The BV Entertainment Newswire Blog

By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices

When it rains it pours.

Just ask actress Dawnn Lewis -- who is having a career renaissance of sorts with her most recent acting endeavors.

The plump-lipped 'A Different World' star has an important cameo in the hit movie musical 'Dreamgirls' and is also fronting the stage adaptation of Whoopi Goldberg's box office smash 'Sister Act.'

So in essence, the woman who many affectionately know simply as Jaleesa Vinson (her character on the groundbreaking 'Cosby Show' spin-off) is literally flipping the script:  'Dreamgirls,' of course, was a legendary Broadway musical and is now a Bill Condon-helmed cinematic spectacle; and 'Sister Act' was a ….

Well you get my drift.

In 'Sister Act the Musical,' Lewis stars in the lead role as diva-in-waiting Deloris Van Cartier (a.k.a. Sister Mary Clarence) --an icon of empowered, ferocious, irreverent African-American womanhood-- who after witnessing a murder, packs up her platform shoes and moves in with the sisters at the down-and-out Holy Order of the Little Sisters of Our Mother of Perpetual Faith.

If you saw the movie, you know it's a comedic romp.

The storyline set to music sounds like it could be real fun.

Directed by Peter Schneider (producer of Broadway musicals 'The Lion King' and 'Aida'), 'Sister Act' will make its world premiere at Atlanta's Alliance Theatre on Jan 24, after a week of preview performances. The show is scheduled to run through Feb. 25.

Lewis, a Brooklyn native who turns 46 this year, married retired NBA player Johnny Newman in 2004. They are now separated. 

Professionally, she recently worked on the wildly popular Cartoon Network series 'The Boondocks.'

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• #9 Comment from k917 
  2/21/07 1:13 AM | Permalink

  You go gurl!  From your homegurl who used to dance with you at Ms. Christians Dance School, I am so proud of you and the choices you have made in your career.  I look forward to seeing you in a few days in Atlanta.  I hope my daughter can get to meet you after the show.  Although I stayed in Florida when I went away to school there, Brooklyn is still in the heart.  We are happy for your accomplishments.  Hope you can give Grady (and daughter) a hollar when we get to the play this weekend.  Peace and God Bless.
• #8 Comment from edspartner82 
  1/17/07 7:44 PM | Permalink

  I was excited to see her in "DreamGirls" only to be let down to find that she didn't have a speaking part. An almost 20 year career in entertainment and her most recent role is a non-speaking, walk on part. I wanted her to say something when she find out about Lorrell. She still looks baddddd!!!!! as in good. Can you believe she's 40?. I quote the great Jaleesa Vincent in the Gladys knight episode of "A Different World" when I say Keep on, Keepin' on.
• #7 Comment from truequality17 
  1/7/07 9:14 AM | Permalink

  I was so happy to see her in Dreamgirls.
• #6 Comment from jirehkp 
  1/7/07 9:12 AM | Permalink

  Hey Dawnn, "A new day is rising" It's nice to hear from you again, don't let this be the last. Keep striving toward the mark!!! Just giving "PROPS" to a strong Black woman!!!
• #5 Comment from renee36wnhlm1 
  1/7/07 6:17 AM | Permalink

  I HAVE MUCH RESPECT AND LOVE FOR GO GIRL DO YOUR THANG GOOD LUCK TO U MY SISTER