Anika Noni Rose's Main TV Roles Show Character(s) The Starter Wife Lavender The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (UK) Grace Makutsi The Quad Dr. Eva Fle… Roots (2016) Kizzy

Main Movie Roles

BIOGRAPHY:

Anika Noni Rose followed her work in the feature film "Dreamgirls" with a role in the comedy feature "Just Add Water," in which she co-stars with Danny DeVito, Dylan Walsh, Jonah Hill and Justin Long, under the direction of Hart Bochner.

In 2004, Rose was honored with a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical for her role in the widely acclaimed Broadway show "Caroline, or Change." In addition, Rose won a Lucille Lortell Award, a Theatre World Award, and a Clarence Derwent Award, and was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for her work in the musical. Rose also reprised her role in the San Francisco and Los Angeles productions of "Caroline, or Change." For her performance in the latter, she won the Los Angeles Critic's Circle Award and an Ovation Award. Classically trained in drama at San Francisco's American Conservatory Theater, Rose moved to New York City to pursue her career, with great hopes of appearing on Broadway. Her goal was first realized when she replaced another actor for the last few months of the Broadway run of "Footloose." Her impressive theatre repertoire also includes "Eli's Comin'," for which she received an Obie Award; the role of Lutiebelle in the Encores! Production of "Purlie"; and "Threepenny Opera" and "Tartuffe" at A.C.T's Geary Theater. In addition, Rose received a Drama-Logue Ensemble Award for her role in "Insurrection: Holding History," and won a Garland/Drama-Logue Award for "Valley Song" at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre. In the midst of all of this, Rose was a featured vocalist at the Vatican in Leonard Bernstein's "Mass." It was during this time that she also work shopped Tony Kushner and Jeanine Tesori's "Caroline, or Change," directed by the legendary George C. Wolfe. In 2003, the musical opened at New York's Public Theater, with Rose creating the role of Emmie Thibodeaux. In May 2004, "Caroline, or Change" moved to Broadway, taking Rose with it. In addition to her stage work, Rose has appeared on television in guest roles on such series as "Third Watch" and "Hack." She also had a lead role in the film "From Justin to Kelly."


TRIVIA:

• Her _Dreamgirls (2006)_ (qv) character, Lorrell Robinson, is supposed to be the youngest of the trio, but in reality Anika is actually older than both Beyonce Knowles and Jennifer Hudson.
• Had to wear six inch heels while filming the title musical number in _Dreamgirls (2006)_ (qv) as to appear in frame with co-stars 'Beyonce Knowles' and 'Jennifer Hudson (I)' (qv).
• Won Broadway's 2004 Tony Award as Best Actress (Featured Role - Musical) for "Caroline, or Change."
• Was once designated to play Dorothy in a late 90s TV revamping of the Broadway musical "The Wiz" until plans for the TV-movie were shelved.
• Recipient of the 59th Annual Clarence Derwent Award along with John Tartaglia.
• Graduated in 1990 from Bloomfield High School in Bloomfield, Connecticut.
• As the lead voice in Disney's upcoming animated feature _The Princess and the Frog (2009)_ (qv), Rose will become the very first black Disney Princess.
• She appeared on a series of videos called "Dr. Mike" that is used in schools as character building tools. The videos have titles such as: Respect, Integrity, Responsibility, and Citizenship. She played Dr. Mike's radio co-host, helping him sort out teen callers' problems in school and life.