Kecia Lewis to Assume Title Role in CSC's 'MOTHER COURAGE' Following Tonya Pinkins' Exit

Broadway veteran Kecia Lewis will assume the title role in their new production of Bertolt Brecht's Mother Courage and Her Children beginning this Friday, January 8 at Classic Stage Company, BroadwayWorld has confirmed.

CSC has canceled the Tuesday, January 5 through Thursday, January 7 performances this week to allow for rehearsal time for Ms. Lewis with the company. Mother Courage and Her Children is directed by Brian Kulick and features original music by Tony Award winner Duncan Sheik. Mother Courage and Her Children will play through Sunday, January 24 as originally scheduled.

From originating the role of "Asaka, Mother of The Earth" on Broadway in Once On This Island, to her CSC debut as "Mother Courage", Kecia Lewis's rich career of portraying powerful mothers and formidable women has come full circle. It all began when Kecia was 18 years old and made her debut as "Effie" in the original Broadway company of Dreamgirls. Kecia went on to be seen on Broadway in Big River, Ain't Misbehavin, Gospel At Colonus, and earned a Drama Desk Nomination for her work in Dessa Rose at Lincoln Center Theatre. Additionally, Kecia originated "Trix" and "Ida Mae" in the Broadway productions of The Drowsy Chaperone and Leap of Faith, respectively, and took over the reins of Mama Morton in Chicago. Most recently Kecia was seen flying through the air, spreading joy and magic as "The Fairy Godmother" in the First National Tour of Cinderella. On television, Kecia can be seen on "Law & Order SVU" (recurring), "Limitless," and in the upcoming season of "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt."

The cast of Mother Courage and Her Children also includes Joshua Boone, Curtiss Cook Jr., Jamil A. C. Mangan, Kevin Mambo, Jacob Ming-Trent, Geoffrey Owens, Michael Potts, Deandre Sevon, Mirirai Sithole and Zenzi Williams. Set design is by Tony Straiges, costume design by Toni-Leslie James, lighting design by Justin Townsend and sound design by Matt Stine.

Tickets start at $60 and are available at www.classicstage.org, by calling (212) 352-3101 / 866-811-4111 or at the box-office at 136 East 13th Street, New York City (between Third and Fourth Avenues).

Photo Credit: James E. Alexander