BWW Exclusive: New York Pops Spotlight on Jenifer Lewis

On Monday, April 28, 2014, The New York Pops marks its 31st birthday with a grand gala evening celebrating the work of composer, lyricist, and arranger Marc Shaiman and director, lyricist, and writer Scott Wittman, as well as the leadership and mentorship work of corporate honoree Paul J. Massey, Jr., CEO and Founding Partner of Massey Knakal Realty Services.

The event begins at 7:00 PM with a concert at Carnegie Hall, featuring a spectacular lineup of stars from both stage and screen under the baton of Music DirectorSteven Reineke. The performance will feature highlights from the work of Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. Performers for the evening will include: Megan Hilty, Laura Bell Bundy, John Pizzarelli, Corey Reynolds, Aaron Tveit, Nikki Blonsky, Christian Borle, Kerry Butler, Will Chase, Linda Hart, Capathia Jenkins, Jane Krakowski, Ricki Lake, Jenifer Lewis, Patti LuPone, Andrea Martin, Katharine McPhee, Martin Short, and Marissa Jaret Winokur. For tickets, viist: www.carnegiehall.org.

BroadwayWorld recently chatted with featured performer Jenifer Lewis about her upcoming appearance in the special celebration:

What will you be singing at the gala?

I will be singing "I Know Where I've Been" from Hairspray.

This year's event honors Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. Do you have a favorite memory of the honorees?

Favorite memory -- vacationing in Laguna Beach with Marc and Scott and while swimming in the Pacific Ocean we named all big waves after opera singers.

Is there a role from a Shaiman/Wittman show that you'd like to play someday?

The other role I have requested would be to play the actual chocolate in "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory".

Have you worked with The New York Pops before? What are you most looking forward to about this performance?

I have not worked with the orchestra but I certainly look forward to feeling the thunder-lightning and magic.

This year's gala will feature music students from The New York Pops' extensive education programs. What single piece of advice would you give to any aspiring performers?

The elevator to success is broken. Take the stairs.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos