Bed-Stuy's Dawnn Lewis Takes Broadway In The Tina Turner Musical

BEDFORD-STUYVESANT, BROOKLYN — A Bed-Stuy native and television star best known for playing the tough and savvy Jaleesa Vinson on "A Different World" will star in the upcoming new Broadway show "Tina: The Tina Turner Musical."

Dawnn Lewis will star as Tina's mother Zelma Bullock when the show opens at the Lunt-Fontanne Theater at 205 W. 46th St. on Nov. 7.

“I am thrilled to return to Broadway to pay homage to Tina Turner,” said Lewis, a Grammy Award-winning singer. "I am grateful to be able to share some of her life and to work with such an amazing cast of professionals.”

The musical, which Turner collaborated on, follows the singer from her home in Nutbush, Tennessee, to her transformation into an iconic rock legend. THe show premiered in London in April 2018, opening to five-star reviews at the Aldwych Theatre.

Lewis, who grew up in Bed-Stuy and Flatbush, said the return to New York will allow her to work more directly with her nonprofit, A New Day Foundation, which provides support to college-bound low income students.

“A New Day Foundation represents an opportunity for young people to be motivated and empowered in all aspects of life,” said Lewis. “We teach them about personal and professional growth, help them to become financially astute, provide a safe space for mentoring and to have difficult conversations while providing them with scholarships, computers, and tangible tools to pursue higher education opportunities.”