"I'm going to be very honest," Jenifer Lewis begins the phone interview, as if
anyone would expect her to be anything but, "I am so excited to be singing at
Powell Hall with the In Unison Chorus."
For Lewis, the multi-talented artist who has entertained and captivated millions via every medium (stage, film, TV, recordings, YouTube, you name it), this is much more than another gig. Friday night's Black History Month Concert is a homecoming. "My family, my friends, my college friends, my college teachers, friends I had in high school and beyond--yes, I'm so excited."
A native of Kinloch, Missouri, Lewis says she plans to drive through the streets of her former home. "I have memories. It's where I was born and raised, but most of it is torn down now. The streets are there. The high school burned down. But I can still sit there and remember.
"Growing up I loved my teachers. They believed in me and they sent me on my way. I was class clown, but I was also president of my class for seven years. I was a leader. My childhood was filled with joys. I knew we were poor, but we were rich in spirit.
Lewis acknowledges that the very name of "Kinloch" has unflattering connotations for some in St. Louis history. "Yes, we were poor, but Kinloch was not a ghetto," she emphasizes. "The women sat on the porches watching us children. I felt loved in Kinloch. I told everybody that I was going to be a star. Some people laughed, but others encouraged me. I was given a gift, and I have tried to honor it all my life."
After high school Lewis went on to study at Webster University. And from there... it's a long and distinguished list of accomplishments including: playing Broadway as Motormouth Maybelle in Hairspray; co-starring with Meryl Streep in Brecht's Mother Courage and Her Children in New York's Shakespeare in the Park; a one-woman show, From Billie to Lena, in which she paid homage to African-American singers and actresses; touring with Bette Midler as one of the notorious "Harlettes"; her voice becoming part of animated movie hits such as Cars, Cars2, and The Princess and the Frog; playing Tina Turner's mother in What's Love Got To Do With It?; playing opposite Denzel Washington and Whitney Houston in The Preachers Wife.
There have been the Tyler Perry movies Madea's Family Reunion and Meet the Browns, and memorable TV appearances on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Friends, Boston Legal, and many more. "I've done259 televsion shows and 60 motion pictures," she says
"I did the work," Lewis affirms. "I fought for my dream. That's what I always encourage people to do: find your passion! That will make you get up in the morning.
"It's been quite a ride. I love what I do. I won't leave a room until somebody's laughing. I'm planning to have fun at Powell Hall, bring some joy to the African-American story. There needs to be humor when there has been so much pain. I am an optimist. I believe in this country."
Essentiallly, for Lewis, it all comes back to home. "My sister is a member of the In Unison Chorus, Wilatrel Rice. I'm the baby of seven children. My family is very proud of me. I try to express profoundly how proud I am of them. I'm coming home."
