By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices
Don't think for one moment just because she's been doing Wal-Mart commercials that Jenifer Lewis is over and out.
The acclaimed actress has been shaking up the scene at the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center's Renberg Theatre with her first new solo stage show in six years, 'Bipolar, Bath & Beyond.'
Witty right?
If you've seen the 50-year-old diva in her multitude of roles over the years -- in films such as 'What's Love Got to Do With It?,' 'Girl 6,' 'The Preachers Wife,' and on TV shows such as 'Girlfriends,' 'That's So Raven' and 'Strong Medicine' -- you know that she's quite a character.
For the peculiarly-titled 'Bipolar, Bath & Beyond,' the Kinloch, Missouri native delivers a high-voltage mix of music, passion and laughter, while also depicting the light and dark sides of living with bipolar disorder.
"I knew I had to impart the important information about the disorder," Lewis, who was diagnosed as manic depressive in 1997, said in a recent interview. "But I also had to do what I do best, which is to make people laugh."
This latest project marks a reunion between Lewis and Marc Shaiman, who serves as the show's musical director; the Tony, Emmy and Grammy Award winner penned the lyrics for Lewis' uproarious 1999 Lifetime mockumentary 'Jackie's Back.'
SEE JACKIE'S BACK TRAILER BELOW...
'Bipolar,' described as a "blend of fantastic autobiography, hilariously pointed social commentary and a vocal brilliance," has already sold out six consecutive performances at the venue.
The show has been extended -- playing Saturdays throughout the month.
"This time I'm going to show my ass," vowed Lewis, who will next be seen in the Tracey Edmonds-produced urban comedy 'Who's Your Caddy?'
In 1994, I saw her in the Charles Randolph Wright-directed musical memoir 'The Diva Is Dismissed.' She blew me away in the critically acclaimed tour-de-force. With all the characters she portrayed in one sitting -- I knew she had to be a little touched. Such conviction and dexterity. I became so enthralled, I saw the show four times and made a lifelong bond with celebrated theater press agent Carol R. Fineman in the process.
I'm certain Lewis stands and delivers in her latest foray into theatrical truth.
Let's just hope it makes its way to The Big Apple.
Comments: (9)
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By: sandra on 5/07/2007 6:50PM
Well damn I haven't heard anyone call someone touched in God knows when. Hell I think its a miracle that someone can be able to still hold a professional career as an actress and maintan unless some people who are in the regular day to day lifestyle. I have family members who have this same condition and its not no picinic but to see a professional writer make a biased opinion of someone being off instead of looking at it as her body of work that she is good at goes to show that even in this text the writer still looks at her disease in the ugly manner that Bio-polar has been known of instead of the great actor that portray a array of different dimensional characters. I applaud her for her strength for forging ahead instead of letting the disease cripple her,.Kudus Jenifer!!!
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By: I press on 5/04/2007 10:47PM
I LOVE HER.... I have always loved her, she is that person on everyone's family who will does not bite her tongue for anyone. I am glad she is taking everything in stride.... I wish her the best!
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By: Lisa on 5/07/2007 12:31PM
I love the roles they give Jenifer. always no nonsense I'm not having it attitude, but never ghetto. I think she should have her own sitcom.
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By: ERIC on 5/08/2007 3:59PM
I THINK MS. LEWIS IS ONE OF THE MOST SEXIEST WOMEN IN HOLLYWOOD. SHE IS IN MY OPINION A REAL WOMAN AND HER ELEGANCE AND THE WAY SHE PORTRAYS CHARACTERS SHOWS THAT. IN HER ROLE IN THE BROTHERS, MY MOUTH WAS WIDE OPEN JUST WATCHING HER!!! AND IM A BIG GABRIELLE UNION FAN TOO!!! I JUST COULD NOT GET HER OUT MY MIND. MY SALUTE TO YOU MS. LEWIS. STAY STRONG, BEAUTIFUL AND A ROLE MODEL FOR OTHER WOMEN ACTRESSES!!!
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By: tkeitorlveit on 5/08/2007 9:37PM
Jennifer Lewis is a brilliant actress. I loved her in Brothers as well, in fact I loved her back when she played one of Will's aunts on the "Fresh Prince". But tell the truth....don't you just know that Niecy Nash from "Clean House" and Jennifer Lewis are closely related, they act just alike-lol.
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By: Deniece on 5/10/2007 4:35PM
I grew up in Kinloch, and just to make it out of there in one piece is a great achievement! Jenifer is our SHERO... Keep doing YOU Ms. Jenny, we love you.
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By: olivia on 5/08/2007 10:51PM
I LOVE MISS LEWIS.SHE IS A FANTASTIC ACTRESS.GOOD LUCK JENIFER!
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By: sheila on 5/10/2007 7:52PM
I was wondering if Tim and Jenifer are Twin Flames. I see they are always together. Did they go through the alchemical marriage toghether...Please email me at sheshe64@msn.com
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By: genevieve parklane on 5/14/2007 2:03PM
To see Jenifer Lewis on-stage in one of her solo shows is a sight and experience to behold. She's one of the most talented entertainers on earth! Her ability to make you laugh, cry, heal -- all at the same time is a gift from God. If you're in Southern California, rush to see her her last two performances! It takes alot of courage and confidence for a person to reveal their bipolar disorder -- but that's just how Jenifer is. She loves people and wants to help heal the world. Her way of doing it is singing and making people laugh. Just heard she's set to lend her voice for one of the characters in Disney's first animiated African American feature The Frog Princess! Jenifer - I love you! Hey everyone - you've heard of the book The Secret, right? Well, Jenifer Lewis IS the secret! Hallelujah!
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