So Much Love: An Evening with Jenifer Lewis February 4, 2011

SO MUCH LOVE
An Evening With Jenifer Lewis

One Night Only

FEBRUARY 4, 2011 at 8pm
NATE HOLDEN PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

Proceeds will benefit Rogue Machine’s quest for a new home

Los Angeles, CA – Multi-talented stage and screen personality Jenifer Lewis will perform in a very special ‘one night only’ event scheduled at state-of-the-art Nate Holden Performing Arts Center.


Jenifer Lewis is best known for her role as 'Lana Hawkins,' the no-nonsense receptionist on the Lifetime Television hit drama series STRONG MEDICINE. Ms. Lewis’ innate ability to captivate an audience stems from her versatile voice, bawdy humor and powerful acting performances honed largely in Broadway hits like EUBIE, DREAMGIRLS, and Neil Simon's PROMISES PROMISES. However, it was her tour with Bette Midler as an infamous ‘Harlette’ that got Hollywood calling in the early 1990’s.


Once in Tinseltown, Ms. Lewis immediately garnered two NAACP Image Award nominations as Best Supporting Actress -- for her portrayal of Tina Turner's mother in WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT? and in the romantic comedy THE PREACHER’S WIFE. Ms. Lewis has displayed her versatility as both a dramatic actress and comedic star in more than 60 feature films including HEREAFTER with Matt Damon, directed by Clint Eastwood; THE ANTWONE FISHER STORY, directed by Denzel Washington; CORRINA CORRINA, SISTER ACT, and SISTER ACT II with Whoopi Goldberg; Tyler Perry’s MADEA’S FAMILY REUNION, MEET THE BROWNS, and CAST AWAY with Tom Hanks. She has lent her distinctive voice to such smash hit animated features such as SHARK TALE, Pixar's blockbuster CARS, and as the voice of the 200-year-old bayou priestess ‘Mama Odie’ in Disney's 2009 animated feature THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG, which also starred Oprah Winfrey, Anika Noni Rose, and John Goodman.
Ms. Lewis’ 70-plus television appearances include THE TEMPTATIONS, FRIENDS, THE COSBY SHOW, MURPHY BROWN, THE FRESH PRINCE OF BEL-AIR, BOSTON LEGAL, GIRLFRIENDS, and COURTHOUSE. Her role as ‘Jackie Washington’ in Lifetime's hit movie JACKIE’S BACK! firmly established her as a 'Diva' and icon. In 2006, she gained critical acclaim opposite Meryl Streep in the Public Theater production of MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN in New York City.

Jenifer went back to Broadway in 2008 to portray 'Motormouth Maybelle' in the hit musical HAIRSPRAY. In 2009, Ms. Lewis wowed Seattle audiences when she starred in HELLO, DOLLY! at the 5th Avenue Theater. Ms. Lewis is a graduate of Webster University in St. Louis with a bachelor’s degree in theater arts. She is also a strong advocate for the Boys and Girls Clubs of America programs and HIV/AIDS awareness.


Award winning ROGUE MACHINE is currently extending the run of Cormac McCarthy’s THE SUNSET LIMITED through January 31, 2011. This Los Angeles premiere has garnered a CRITIC’S CHOICE - LA Times; GO – LA Weekly, CRITIC’S PICK - Backstage, and an Ovation RECOMMENDED). Rogue Machine presents plays that are new to Los Angeles, including several world premiere productions. Since 2008 the company has produced 3 Los Angeles Premiere (THE SUNSET LIMITED, COMPLEAT FEMALE STAGE BEAUTY, and STOP KISS), 5 West Coast Premiere (FOUR PLACES, MilkMilkLemonade, AMERICAN DEAD, BINGO WITH THE INDIANS, and HALF OF PLENTY), and 3 World Premiere productions (YARD SALE SIGNS, RAZORBACK, and the multi-award winning production of Henry Murray’s TREEFALL, now published by Dramatist Play Services). The company draws upon the diverse and extensive experience of its collective while creating high-quality productions by contemporary playwrights who specifically address our culture and time.

Official Website: http://www.RogueMachineTheatre.com