NEED TO KNOW
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Nichelle Lewis received her first Tony Award nomination for her supporting role as Sarah in the current Broadway production of the musical «"Ragtime".
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In an interview with PEOPLE ahead of the June 7 ceremony, the actress recalled advice she received from Audra McDonald, who won a Tony Award for her role as Sarah in 1998.
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According to Lewis, the legendary actress's advice, "Make sure you keep Sarah in the theater," "wasn't easy," she admitted.
In many ways, Nichelle Lewis is following in the footsteps of Broadway legend Audra McDonald.
Eight times a week, 27-year-old Lewis plays Sarah in the hit production the musical "Ragtime"« at Lincoln Center, which is playing at New York City's Vivian Beaumont Theater. The 55-year-old Macdonald first performed the role in the original 1998 production of this magnificent musical by Stephen Flaherty, Lynn Ahrens, and Terrence McNally, winning the third of her record-breaking six Tony Awards (more than any other performer).
For Lewis, who has admired Macdonald since childhood and now plays one of the star's most famous roles, the connection wasn't lost on her. Her performance resonated with audiences and critics alike, earning the young actress her first Tony Award nomination less than two years after her Broadway debut in the 2024 revival of The Wizard of Oz. Oz"» .
But it's McDonald's advice—"a mother, an icon, a queen diva!" as Lewis wittily noted in an interview with PEOPLE—that helps her through this "wonderful experience.".
«"She always said to me when I saw her, 'Make sure you keep Sarah in the theater,'" Lewis says. "And that wasn't easy. But I definitely take that advice and try to do it every day.".
Nichelle Lewis and Joshua Henry in the musical "Ragtime." Photo: Matthew Murphy.
MacDonald and his fellow troupe member «"Ragtime"» Brian Stokes Mitchell and I attended the premiere of the revival together last October. The original production, which also starred the late Marin Mazzie, Peter Friedman, and a young Lea Michele, received 13 Tony Award nominations and won four.
This revival, directed by Lear de Bessonet, is nominated for 11 Tony Awards this year, including Best Revival of a Musical, as well as acting nods for Joshua Henry, Brandon Uranowitz, Cassie Levy, and Ben Levy Ross (in addition to Lewis).
The musical follows three groups of people trying to adapt to a rapidly changing America at the turn of the 20th century: a wealthy white family from New Rochelle, New York, a Jewish immigrant and his daughter from Eastern Europe, and a Black musician striving to build a better life for his family.
The story centers on Sarah, a young mother who falls in love with the ambitious and talented Coalhouse Walker Jr. While they dream of a bright future, their lives are turned upside down by racism and injustice, setting off a chain of events that ultimately leads to tragedy.
Nichelle Lewis at the Broadway premiere of "Ragtime" on October 16, 2025. Photo: Dia Dipasupil/Getty.
Lewis embodies both fragility and resilience in Sarah, capturing the character's innocence and hope while highlighting the quiet strength that carries her through the show's darkest moments. This performance pays homage to the character's legacy while allowing Lewis to truly make the role her own.
But playing a character who experiences so much heartache eight times a week can be emotionally taxing. "I really give it my all when I'm filming," Lewis explains. "And I have to remind myself that it's okay if I leave her. 'It's okay, she'll be there when you get back.'".
«"Even after I'm off stage, I sometimes have a hard time feeling in my own skin and reminding myself that I'm okay," Lewis says. "I tell myself, 'Sarah might be going through something hard right now, but I'm okay.' And I think that's the experience. It's something I'm really learning every day.".
Nichelle Lewis attends the 2026 Tony Awards nominations press conference on May 14, 2026. Photo: Christina Bumfrey/Variety via Getty.
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This doesn't mean there's nothing to like about this character.
«I love so many things about Sarah,» Lewis tells PEOPLE. “I love her strength. I love her optimism, even in the midst of so much chaos. Even in the time she lived—the early 1900s—it was a challenging time for most people of color. And yet she still found the strength to dream and hope.”.
«"Being a citizen of the United States," adds the Virginia native, "was a perfectly simple thing for many people. But for people of color who didn't have that, it was a huge achievement. So I remain optimistic.".
«"Ragtime" (Photo: Matthew Murphy)
Bringing this story to life with such a stellar cast, Lewis learned a lot about herself.
«"It taught me so much about my artistry, my creativity, my strength and the power we all have on stage to inspire people," she says.
Daily performances of Sarah's story also strengthened Lewis's belief in the power of theater. "I firmly believe that theater can change the world. I think so many people come to the theater and experience powerful emotions and impacts every day.".
Incidentally, this applies to Lewis as well. "I mean, just being there on stage, I feel influenced and inspired every day," she concludes.
The musical "Ragtime"« is currently playing at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre. The 2026 Tony Awards (hosted by Pink) will take place at Radio City Music Hall on Sunday, June 7. The show will air live on CBS on both coasts starting at 8:00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT and will also be available to stream on Paramount+.
Read the original article on People.