In the hit Broadway play, 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,' Lisa Arrindell Anderson plays a wicked wench named Mae, often referred to as Sister Woman.
And she plays the dastardly role of a cunning and very pregnant married mother of three to a hilt – winning rave reviews for her Great White Way debut.
"When you get the call that Broadway wants you and that you'll be working with James Earl Jones for 6 months you feel like: Woohoo!!!!" she told BlackVoices.com yesterday.
Born and raised in New York City, Anderson attended exclusive High School of the Performing Arts and the prestigious Juilliard School. She also had a scholarship for six years to Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.So it's easy to assume that the burgeoning actress was born to do it.
Like her character in the Debbie Allen-directed Tennessee Williams revival, Anderson is a doting mother. Her two children, 11 year-old Jacob and five-year-old Jordan, are in Atlanta with her husband while she wows audiences eight times a week on Broadway.
"My husband has taken over a great deal of what I normally do at home, in addition to acquiring a caregiver for the after school hours," she shared. "And we've been strict about making sure that we all see each other every two weeks.....that's made it bearable."
Because of work, Anderson can't spend Mother's Day with her two children, but said that the family has been creative in celebrating her big day this year.
"My 5 year old daughter is a celebration-focused girl, so she was concerned when we told her that we wouldn't be together for Mother's Day; but when I told her we could celebrate it when they come to NY at the end of the month, because the date doesn't matter as much as that we celebrate it, she was comforted," Anderson said. "When I was home in Georgia for the day last week my family took me shopping for Mother's Day gifts....they picked out three sexy summer dresses for me."
This year, Anderson -- who gained attention starring in the hit Tyler Perry movie 'Madea's Family Reunion' -- will get a chance to go to church with her mom and go to brunch at one of her favorite Brooklyn watering holes.
"Time together focused on mom," is what she said is the best Mother's Day gift to give.
And she plans to do just that.
'Cat On A Hot Tin Roof' is currently playing a strictly limited engagement at the Broadhurst Theatre.
Comments: (8)
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By: Monique on 5/09/2008 2:43PM
I am very happy to see that Mrs Anderson is getting the attention she deserves. She is an AWESOME actress and I look forward to seeing her in some really great roles.
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By: jclark23323@gmail.com on 5/09/2008 5:54PM
It's great to see more and more of her because she is absolutely is a great actress. She sure has come a long way since "Livin' Large", one of my all time favorite movies.
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By: ace on 5/11/2008 7:38AM
I'M HAPPY SHE'S GETTING THE RECOGNITION THAT SHE DESERVES AND SHE HAS ALWAYS BEEN ONE ME AND MY WIFES FAVORITE ACTRESSES AND IT REALLY BOTHERS ME THAT THE MAIN MEDIA(WHITE) DON'T SEE YOU AS A WELL ROUNDED ACTOR UNTIL YOU'RE IN A TYLER PERRY PLAY
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By: shirl on 5/11/2008 1:07PM
I agree w/jclark23323. I was thrilled to see Lisa in Medea's Family Reunion. I had wondered what she was doing with herself. Great Job, Lisa! More! More! More!
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By: Gwen In Charlotte on 5/11/2008 2:52PM
The GORGEOUS Ms. Lisa Arrindell Anderson has always reminded me of a younger (THE GORGEOUS) Ms. Felicia (Ayers-Allen) Rashad. Her acting, mannerisms, poise, intelligence, and looks, make her a definite choice to play an earlier years Attorney Mrs. Claire Huxtable (Orlando Jones can play the earlier years, Dr. Heathcliff Huxtable)! There is a sea of fine, and fine-looking, actresses out there, and Ms. Lisa has always hung right in there too.
I've loved, applauded, and respected every project in which I've seen her participate. I've especially loved her as the sensible single mom ("Madea's Family Reunion"): the young Diahann Carroll ("Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years"): and MOST SPECIALLY, as the down-to-earth, school teacher, fiance of Don Cheadle ("A Lesson Before Dying"). I believe Ms. Lisa can carry a Leading Lady role in a Major Big Screen Movie. Congrats on Broadway, Ms. Lisa!
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By: shimron piper on 10/03/2008 3:47PM
i jus love her and the way she acted in madea's family reunion was the bomb.keep doin yah thing lovely.
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By: Adaviah on 11/04/2008 1:31PM
OMG...... I am extremely happy to kn ow that mz.lisa is getting her time to shine.... i love her and i hope she does much more shows on broadway
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By: Brian Newell on 5/14/2009 2:12AM
I was blessed to have had the opportunity to provide transportation services for Mrs. Anderson in 2008 in the Atlanta area. It has been awhile since i've seen Lisa, but it is truly wonderful to see she is having continued success. I hope to be able to be of service to Lisa in the near future.
I also would like to see her on stage in NY.
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