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Lonette McKee

Birth Place: Detroit, MI, USA

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STAGE CREDITS

[Off-Broadway]
New Federal Theatre Production, 2012
Performer

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 1994
Julie

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 1983
Julie

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1981
Rachel Isum


Movies

Sparkle
[ 1976 ] Sister
Which Way Is Up?
[ 1977 ] Vanetta
Cuba
[ 1979 ] Therese Mederos
The Cotton Club
[ 1984 ] Lila Rose Oliver
Brewster's Millions
[ 1985 ] Angela Drake
'Round Midnight
[ 1986 ] Darcey Leigh
Gardens of Stone
[ 1987 ] Betty Rae
Jungle Fever
[ 1991 ] Drew
Malcolm X
[ 1992 ] Louise Little
Blind Faith
[ 1998 ] Carol Williams
He Got Game
[ 1998 ] Martha Shuttlesworth
Men of Honor
[ 2000 ] Ella Brhear
Fast Food Fast Women
[ 2000 ] Sherry-Lynn
Lift
[ 2001 ] Elaine
Honey
[ 2003 ] Mrs. Daniels
She Hate Me
[ 2004 ] Lottie Armstrong
ATL
[ 2006 ] Priscilla Garnett
Dream Street
[ 2010 ] music composer
Honey 2
[ 2011 ] Connie Lonette Mckee
This Narrow Place
[ 2011 ] Mrs. Shaw
LUV
[ 2012 ] Grandma Beanie
Against the Jab
[ 2015 ] Dj Mike's mother

TV Shows

As the World Turns
Sara Ruth Bennett
The Game
Maria Pitts
Third Watch
Maggie Davis

Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 1995 - Outstanding Actress - Musical

Lonette McKeeShowboat

Drama Desk Awards - 1982 - Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical

Lonette McKee, The First

Videos

News


New Federal Theatre to Present TELLING TALES OUT OF SCHOOL Beginning Next Month

Four women writers of the Harlem Renaissance meet in 'Telling Tales Out of School' by Wesley Brown, directed by Woodie King, Jr. at Castillo Theatre/ASP. The play offers a unique perspective on the Harlem Renaissance by providing a character study of four of its most-noted female prime movers. Check out event information here!
New Federal Theatre to Present TELLING TALES OUT OF SCHOOL in May

New Federal Theatre will present 'Telling Tales Out of School,' a new play by Wesley Brown, from May 2 to 7 as a work in progress at Castillo Theatre/ASP.
Broadway Press Agent Terry M. Lilly Has Passed Away

Association of Theatrical Press Agents & Managers  retired member Terry M. Lilly. Terry was a Press Agent on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and across the country, who came into membership in September of 1977. He passed away peacefully at home on November 24, 2021 after a long illness, surrounded by loved ones.
Reel Sisters Honors Activist & Author Nana Camille Yarbrough With Trailblazing Filmmakers Sandra Guzmán And Leslie Harris

On Friday, Oct. 11, 6:00 pm, Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival & Lecture Series will honor award-winning performance artist, author and cultural activist Camille Yarbrough with our distinguished Reel Sisters Hattie McDaniel Award for her outstanding contributions to film, television, literature and performing arts over six decades. The Reel Sisters Trailblazer Award will be presented to Sandra Guzman, producer and lead interviewer of Toni Morrison: Pieces I Am, and pioneering filmmaker Leslie Harris, director of the classic film Just Another Girl on the I.R.T. Cash prizes will also be presented to our award-winning filmmakers. Tickets: $35 ($30 - Bring A Pal discount for 2+ tickets).
Deidrie Henry In LADY DAY Comes to Garry Marshall Theatre

Garry Marshall Theatre presents Deidrie Henry in the Broadway play Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill by Lanie Robertson for 15 performances May 15 to June 2, 2019 (press opening is Friday, May 17). The director is Gregg T. Daniel and playing Jimmy Powers is musical director Abdul Hamid Royal. Daniel most recently directed The Mountaintop for Garry Marshall Theatre.
LADY DAY AT EMERSON'S BAR & GRILL Comes to Garry Marshall Theatre

Garry Marshall Theatre presents the Broadway play Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill by Lanie Robertson for 15 performances May 15 to June 2, 2019 (press opening is Friday, May 17).  The time is 1959, a seedy bar in Philadelphia. The audience is about to witness one of Billie Holiday's last performances, given four months before her death. More than a dozen musical numbers - including "What a Moonlight Can Do," "Crazy He Calls Me," "Easy Living," "Strange Fruit," "Taint Nobody's Biz-ness If I Do," and "God Bless the Child" -- are interlaced with salty, often humorous, reminiscences to project a riveting portrait of the lady and her music.
LADY DAY AT EMERSON'S BAR AND GRILL Runs this November at Rep Stage

Rep Stage, the professional regional theatre in residence at Howard Community College (HCC), continues its 25th season with Lanie Robertson's Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill, directed by Danielle A. Drakes and music direction by Wil Lewis III.
Reel Sisters Celebrates 20th Anniversary with Tribute Awards Ceremony

On Saturday, Oct. 7, 6:30 pm, Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival & Lecture Series will present the Reel Sisters Hattie McDaniel Award to legendary actress Vinie Burrows ( Walk Together Children ) and the Reel Sisters Trailblazer Award to Tamara Tunie (Law & Order: SVU) and Nicole Beharie (Sleepy Hollow).
Site-Specific SUGAR RAY to Play New Harlem Besame Restaurant, 2/26-3/28

Sugar Ray Robinson was, pound for pound, the greatest boxer of all time. In his 25-year professional career, from 1940 to 1965, he was boxing history's first winner of five divisional championships (in the middle weight and welterweight divisions).
Palm Beach Dramaworks Closes Season with LADY DAY AT EMERSON'S BAR & GRILL, Now thru 6/7

Palm Beach Dramaworks concludes its fifteenth anniversary season with Lanie Robertson's Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill, a moving and surprisingly joyous look back at the too-short, turbulent life of the legendary Billie Holiday. Lady Day opens at  the Don & Ann Brown Theatre tonight, May 15 and continues through June 7.
Palm Beach Dramaworks to Close Season with LADY DAY AT EMERSON'S BAR & GRILL, 5/15-6/7

Palm Beach Dramaworks concludes its fifteenth anniversary season with Lanie Robertson's Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill, a moving and surprisingly joyous look back at the too-short, turbulent life of the legendary Billie Holiday. Lady Day opens at  the Don & Ann Brown Theatre on May 15 and continues through June 7, with specially priced previews on May 13 and 14.
InDepth InterView Exclusive: Vanessa Williams Talks NY Philharmonic SHOW BOAT, Plus THE TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL NYC Vs. LA, INTO THE WOODS Memories & More

Today we are talking to a world famous triple-threat star of stage and screen who first shot to fame in the 1980s as the first African American Miss America and found considerable success as a recording artist and actress thereafter, the divine Vanessa Williams. Sharing sage wisdom from her life and career as well as reflecting on many of her most popular properties to date, Williams reveals some of her many secrets to success while also looking ahead to next month's hotly anticipated all-star concert presentation of legendary Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein musical SHOW BOAT, co-starring Julian Ovenden, Norm Lewis, Jane Alexander and many more along with the New York Philharmonic under the direction of Ted Sperling. Also, Williams shares her enthusiasm for setting out to create new renditions of some of SHOW BOAT's most noted selections, including 'Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man Of Mine'. Additionally, Williams opens up about her multiple musical theatre endeavors highlighting the work of Stephen Sondheim, including the Tony Award-winning 2002 Best Revival production of INTO THE WOODS and the recent original revue SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM. Plus, Williams details her ongoing participation in THE TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL, after having starred in the well-received Broadway production last season and now finishing up headlining the Los Angeles production before bringing the drama to Boston. All of that, KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN memories, saving Audra McDonald's wedding day and much, much more with one of Broadway's brightest stars!
Is Audra McDonald-Led LADY DAY a Play or a Musical? Tony Committee Decides Tomorrow

The Tony Awards Administration Committee meets for the final time tomorrow, April 25, to determine the fates of the 2013-14 season's productions. And if they decide LADY DAY AT EMERSON'S BAR AND GRILL is a 'play with music' rather than a musical, leading lady Audra McDonald, who stars as Billie Holiday, will have the chance to win a Tony for Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Play -- her only category without a Tony trophy.
TV: Audra McDonald is Billie Holliday! Meet the Company of LADY DAY AT EMERSON'S BAR AND GRILL

Five-time Tony winner Audra McDonald will return to the stage as legendary songstress Billie Hollidayin a revival of Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill. The show will open at the Circle in the Square Theatre on April 13 for a limited 10-week run. Performances will begin on March 25. The company just met the press yesterday and BroadwayWorld's Richard RIdge was there to chat with the whole gang. Check out what they had to say below!
FREEZE FRAME: Audra McDonald and LADY DAY AT EMERSON'S BAR AND GRILL Company Meet the Press!

Five-time Tony winner Audra McDonald will return to the stage as legendary songstress Billie Holliday in a revival of Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill. The show will open at the Circle in the Square Theatre on April 13 for a limited 10-week run. Performances will begin on March 25. The company just met the press and BroadwayWorld brings you a sneak peek of the festivities below. Check back later for complete coverage!
Photo Flash: First Look at Audra McDonald as Billie Holiday in LADY DAY AT EMERSON'S BAR AND GRILL Artwork!

As BroadwayWorld reported last week, five-time Tony winner Audra McDonald will return to the stage as legendary songstress Billie Holliday in a revival of Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill. The show will open at the Circle in the Square Theatre on April 13 for a limited 10-week run. Performances will begin on March 25. Check out the just-released artwork for the show below!
Schedule Announced for LADY DAY AT EMERSON'S BAR AND GRILL with Audra McDonald; Opening Set for 4/13

As BroadwayWorld reported last week, five-time Tony winner Audra McDonald will return to the stage as legendary songstress Billie Holliday in a revival of Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill. According to the New York Times, the show will open at the Circle in the Square Theatre on April 13 for a limited 10-week run. Performances will begin on March 25.
Confirmed: Talks Underway to Bring Audra McDonald Back to Broadway in LADY DAY AT EMERSON'S BAR AND GRILL

BroadwayWorld.com has learned that talks are indeed currently underway with five-time Tony winner Audra McDonald to bring her back to the stage as legendary songstress Billie Holliday in a revival of Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill. The show will reportedly play at the Circle in the Square Theatre, where current occupant Bronx Bombers will close on March 2, 2014. An official announcement has not yet been made, but sources tell us that a deal, dates and release is 'imminent.'
Lonette McKee, Michael Henderson Bring A NIGHT TO REMEMBER to Aaron Davis Hall, 11/30

Lonette McKee, acclaimed Tony Nominated film and stage actress and star of mega-hits Sparkle, The Cotton Club, Round Midnight, Jungle Fever and Broadway's Showboat and Lady Day, in concert with four-time Grammy Nominated music legend Singer, Songwriter, Jazz Fusion and R&B Soul performer, Michael Henderson come together for a one night only performance, A Night To Remember on Friday, November 30, 2012 at 7PM, Aaron Davis Hall, City College of New York (Convent Avenue and West 135th Street on City College campus) New York, NY 10031. Tickets are: $35 (general admission). For more information and ticket sales visit: www.adhatccny.org or www.lonettemckee.com or call Aaron Davis Hall Box office at 212.650.6900.
The City College of New York’s Aaron Davis Hall Fall/Winter Season Announced

Aaron Davis Hall, Harlem's Premiere Performing Arts Center has announced the fall line-up with ethnically rich and culturally fulfilling performances. Aaron Davis Hall, City College of New York (Convent Avenue and West 135th Street on City College campus) New York, NY 10031. For more information and ticket sales visit: www.adhatccny.org or call Aaron Davis Hall Box office at 212.650.6900.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Lonette McKee been in?

Lonette McKee has appeared on Broadway in 3 shows.

How many West End shows has Lonette McKee been in?

Lonette McKee has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Lonette McKee been nominated for?

Outstanding Actress - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Showboat and Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for The First.

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