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.
1. 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.
Monique at 2:43PM on May 9th 2008