Sheryl Lee Ralph is one of the few actresses to have the freedom to choose the projects she signs on to do.

She could sit back and be a supportive politician's wife, as the spouse of Pennsylvania State Senator Vincent Hughes.

Instead, the former 'Moesha' star has spent her days educating on HIV/AIDS prevention around the world and raising money for the cause through her Divas Simply Singing concerts and her one-woman show 'Sometimes I Cry.'

But, now the Tony Award nominated thespian is poised to return to The Great White Way – the place where she got her start nearly 30 years ago in the original production of 'Dreamgirls.'

On Aug. 30, the Connecticut native wowed the crowd at the 20th Annual NAACP Theatre Awards at the Directors Guild of America in Hollywood creating early buzz that her return to Broadway is right around the corner.

Ralph performed a show-stopping number 'That Was Me Then...This Is Me Now' from the new musical adaptation 'The First Wives Club.' Clad in a white suit, pearls and crystal Sonia Rykiel pumps, the Rutgers University graduate brought down the house singing the Act 2 song, which was written by famed Motown songwriting team Holland-Dozier-Holland.

The show, which premiered last year at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, is based on the 1996 comedy of the same name starring Bette Midler, Diane Keaton and Goldie Hawn. The NAACP applauded writer Rupert Holmes' decision to cast Ralph as Hawn's movie star character, Elyse Elliot, and make her a pop star diva.

Also getting his due at the festivities was Emmy Award-winning actor Jeffrey Wright, who was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his work in Broadway shows to include, 'Topdog/Underdog,' 'Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk,' and 'Angels in America: Peristroika.' He'll soon appear in the Lincoln Center Theater production of 'A Free Man of Color.'

Kenny Leon, who most recently helmed 'Fences,' which earned its two lead actors Denzel Washington and Viola Davis Tony Awards, was honored with the Trailblazer Award. The Tony Award-nominated director is gearing up to direct Halle Berry and Samuel L. Jackson on Broadway in 'The Mountaintop.'

And, while there's no word on when 'The First Wives Club' will be hitting Broadway, Ralph will continue her fight to raise money for HIV/AIDS prevention with the 20th Anniversary of Divas Simply Singing on Oct.9 in Los Angeles, California.