#180: Lady of the Dance (Friday, June 11)

I first met Oneika Phillips, or Rachel as she's known to some of her friends, 10 years ago at Caribana. We were at a concert and when the performer and inventor of a popular dance asked for volunteers to come on stage and demonstrate the dance, Rachel didn't hesitate. And showed him up while she was at it. LOL. I admired her pluck and joie d'vivre that day; and many times since.

But Rachel wasn't just on stage for fun; she is a performer at heart. She recently ended an international tour of West Side Story, where she played the lead role of Anita, the first black woman to be awarded the part. *e-high-five*

Said one reviewer of Rachel's performance as Anita, "...Oneika Phillips was the favorite, as a dancer and an actress, she was mindblowing. In her final scene, the audience communally stopped breathing. A 'theatre magic' moment."

And now, I'm excited to report that Rachel is making her debut on Broadway as SWING dancer for the Fela! On Broadway ensemble, which means she has to learn ALL the parts and fill in for any female dancer who cannot make the show. Yeah, hard work...they don't just give that to any dancer on the street, y'know. That takes some serious talent.

And in case you've been hiding under a rock, Fela! has received 11 Tony Award nominations including best music, best direction and best leading actor. And on Monday the female dancer ensemble received the Fred and Adele Astaire award for best female dancers. Pretty awesome, ennit?

So check out Fela! On Broadway, and keep a watchful eye for Miss Rachel Oneika Phillips. She's doing big thangs!