Press Kit Photo Album Program Copy Technical Needs Biography

Sandra Reaves-Phillips - Bio Highlights Sandra's big break came with her riveting portrayal of Mama Younger the Tony Award-winning-musicaI Raisin in which she starred in the National and International tours. She co-starred in Paris at the Chatelet Theatre in the original production of Black and Blue, and the National tour of One Mo Time! Off-Broadway she had leading roles in the original productions of Blues In The Night and Further Mo! She made her Carnegie Hall debut in Cavalcade of Stars and is currently touring throughout North America and Europe in the shows she created, Bold & Brassy Blues, and The Late Great Ladies of Blues and Jazz. Her films include Round Midnight in which she was featured as Buttercup, and Lean On Me in which she was featured as Mrs. Powers and sang the title song. On television she has guest starred on Law And Order, portrayed the recurring role of Esther on Another World", and this past season co-starred with Ann-Margret in an N.B.C. Movie of the Week titled Following Her Heart. She has performed at many international festivals throughout Europe and North America and has been nominated for two Helen Hayes Awards and the NAACP Image Award.  Full Bio | Photo Album | Program | Press Kits

	PRESS EXCERPTS "THE LATE GREAT LADIES OF BLUES AND JAZZ" SANDRA REAVES "Her own composition...set the atmosphere with hip-moving, body-screaming, tear-draining, non-stop excitement." -Chicago Diplomat "Joyously exciting...her own pragmatic, uptempo style...memories of these great ladies just come flooding back." -New York Guide "She's a sassy, brassy, classy lady, exuberant... exhilarating.. .wonderful" -Evening Outlook "Star material in the most demanding critic's book." -Des Moines Register "...(she) sings, dances and cavorts...a performer of high charisma and stage excitement." -The State, SC "...credit belongs to the incredibly talented Sandra ReAves in the lead, whose southern flavor and deep, bellowing voice captures Jackson's vitality. The current success of "Mahalia's Song" is largely due to ReAves' charismatic presence." -Dayton Daily News "ReaVes is a marvelous Mahalia Jackson. Her voice runs the gamut from husky to tender, from poignant to booming out in exultation. Equally important in this portrayal of the queen of gospel is ReAves body language; her face and hands are wonderfully expressive; indeed, her entire being can instantly change...to someone whose every fiber shakes in exuberance... Sandra ReAves is unquestionably the focal spark of the show." -The Journal Herald, Boston "Sandra ReAves has got a way of handing a song its hat and kicking it down the stairs. -Los Angeles Times "...an actress of sterling quality...She's magnificent!" -International Herald Tribune "She has a phenomenal voice...represents the whopping red hot mama...sings free and easy-like... contralto voice with velvet textured tones... heights of glittering, alluring splendor...silvery clarity." -Chicago Defender "Sandra ReAves, blues singer par excellence..." -Cincinnati Enquirer "A new star was born in Hollywood...warm, commanding lady...a stunner... a black Sophie Tucker. Bessie Smith reborn...wail of Nellie Lutcher...lungs of Ethel Merman...sassy as Mae West." -L.A. Golden Tymes "The perfect big, fat, black, sexy mama...The stage does not burst into flames until SR comes out." -Chicago Tribune "Sandra ReAves captured it all...She belongs to a special sorority of singers whose expressiveness, vocal power and sheer physical size recalls the classic blues singers of the 20's and some who followed." -Washington Post "...impeccable timing...dynamism and eloquence...a celebration! A first class entertainer!" -Show Business "The focus is on Bessie Smith, as vividly personified by Sandra ReAves, sweeping into the spotlight in gold gown and white boa, demanding to be recognized as "The I Got It and You Can't Get It Girl"...a forceful presence." -The New York Times "ReAves displays massive good humor and story-telling powers to get her points across. And her deep growl is fun." -The New York Post "A first-class show-woman, a complete and unique artist who deserves, without contest, all the compliments attributed to her." -Tribune De Geneve "the star's vocal acrobatics underscore much more of what is energetic and inspirational in the show. ReAves rocks and sways as she vocalizes to the highest seat in the balcony...a luminous performance." -The Times, Dayton, Ohio
	Full Bio | Photo Album | Program | Press Kits
	Special Attractions | Dance | Visual Theatre | Theatre | | E-Mail | Booking/Performance Information | This site developed and maintained for Arthur Shafman International, Ltd. by Performing Arts Network. ©1996-99, All rights reserved.