Sheryl Lee Ralph was recently on TV One’s docuseries “Uncensored” and gave some details on some of the things that were going on behind the scenes while playing Deena Jones in Michael Bennett’s “Dreamgirls,” which was her Broadway debut in 1981.
The Abbott Elementary star, went into detail about a time when Bennett, the “Dreamgirls” director and choreographer, hit her during rehearsal over a minor accident. “Michael Bennett for some reason was in his feelings on something,” Ralph recounted about the late director, who died in 1987, “and he said, ‘Don’t let the feather boa touch the ground.’” Ralph then goes on to say her boa accidentally hit the ground. “It wasn’t my fault, I didn’t do it on purpose. And he hit me,” she said while imitating his strike on her shoulder. “My father doesn’t even hit me, he hit me.”
After being hit by Bennett, Ralph says she quickly went walked off set and went to find a pay phone and report the situation to her union. “I dropped that feather boa, I walked up to my dressing room, got out of my costume walked out that stage door,” she said, “I called my union I said ‘He hit me.’” While speaking with her union the 66-year-old alleges that they asked her if she would like to take vacation and that he will pay her because this isn’t the first time that has happened. “So you gonna tell me this man has been going around hitting people,” the Emmy Award winner said, “or verbally abusing people and you all just say ‘take a vacation, he’ll pay you?’ That’s how we’re going to get treated?”
Ralph did end off by saying she did receive an apology for the incident but she felt like this story would be an “incredible” one to share.
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Her performance as Deena Jones earned her a Tony Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical. She also originated the role of Muzzy Van Hossmere in the Tony Award-winning musical “Thoroughly Modern Millie.”
Ralph’s film credits include “Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit,” “The Mighty Quinn,” and “To Sleep with Anger.” She has also appeared on television shows such as “Moesha,” “Designing Women,” and “Instant Mom.” Ralph is also a successful producer, having produced the Broadway production of “The Trip to Bountiful,” which won the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play.
Aside from her acting and producing career, Ralph is also an activist and philanthropist. She is the founder of the DIVA Foundation, which aims to combat HIV/AIDS and raise awareness of the disease in communities of color.
Too this day, she continues to be an influential figure in the entertainment industry and a trailblazer for women of color in Hollywood.
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