Valisia LeKae

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Valisia LeKae (born 1979) is an American singer and musical theatre actress. She received a nomination for the 2013 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance as Diana Ross in the Broadway musical Motown: The Musical.

Early life

LeKae was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee,[1] and listened to Motown records in her grandfather's barbershop as a youngster. She started to sing in church at age six[1] and then worked at the Dollywood theme park.[2] LeKae graduated from college with a degree in Psychology and minor in Child and Family Studies.[1]

Career

She starred as Diana Ross in Motown: The Musical on Broadway, which opened in April 2013.[3] The reviewer for TheaterMania wrote of her performance in Motown: The Musical:
The one person who truly shines, though, is Valisia LeKae as Gordy's longtime paramour, superstar Diana Ross. It's not just her almost spot-on re-creation of Miss Ross' breathy voice and steely demeanor that commands our attention. The consistent display of her genuine star power – most evident in a thrilling 'Reach Out and Touch' segment – also draws us in.[4]
The TalkinBroadway reviewer wrote: "Valisia LeKae does a killer impersonation of Ross, and effectively mimics her smoky innocence."[5]

For her performance she was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical.[6] She was also nominated for a Drama League Award (Distinguished Performance Award)[7] and Outer Critics Circle Award (Outstanding Actress in a Musical)[8] and won the Theatre World Award (Outstanding Broadway or Off-Broadway debut performance).[9][10]

Previously, she was a swing and understudy in the Broadway productions of The Book of Mormon (2011), Ragtime (2009), and The Threepenny Opera (2006) and a performer in 110 in the Shade (2007).[11][12]

Personal

LeKae left Motown: The Musical in December 2013 to be treated after a diagnosis of ovarian cancer.[13]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Gans, Andrew. "DIVA TALK: A Chat With 'Motown The Musical' Star Valisia LeKae", playbill.com, March 15, 2013
  2. ↑ Mandell, Jonathan. In the Middle with You: Motown Stars Valisia LeKae and Brandon Victor Dixon", playbill.com, May 2, 2013
  3. ↑ Hetrick, Adam. " 'Hail to the Beat': 'Motown: The Musical' Opens On Broadway April 14", playbill.com, April 14, 2013
  4. ↑ Lipton, Brian Scott. "Review. 'Motown: The Musical'", theatermania.com, April 14, 2013
  5. ↑ Murray, Matthew. "Broadway Reviews. 'Motown: The Musical'", talkinbroadway.com, April 14, 2013
  6. ↑ Gans, Andrew. "Nominations Announced for 67th Annual Tony Awards; 'Kinky Boots' Earns 13 Nominations", playbill.com, April 30, 2013
  7. ↑ Gans, Andrew. "Nominees Announced for 79th Annual Drama League Awards", playbill.com, April 23, 2013
  8. ↑ Gans, Andrew. " 'Pippin' Is Big Winner of 2012-13 Outer Critics Circle Awards", playbill.com, May 13, 2013
  9. ↑ Gans, Andrew. "Tom Hanks, Bertie Carvel, Valisia LeKae, Rob McClure and More Are Theatre World Award Winners", playbill.com, May 7, 2013
  10. ↑ Witherspoon, Chris. "Motown Actress Valisia LeKae Delivers as Diana Ross", thegrio.com, May 20, 2013
  11. ↑ "Valisia LeKae Listing", playbillvault.com
  12. ↑ "Valisia LeKae Profile", broadway.com
  13. ↑ Hetrick, Adam. "Tony Award Nominee Valisia LeKae Departs Broadway's Motown to Undergo Treatment for Ovarian Cancer" playbill.com, December 17, 2013

External links

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