Sheryl Lee Ralph is an actress from stage and screen. She is known for originating the role of Deena Jones in the Broadway musical Dreamgirls and Barbara Howard on the ABC mockumentary sitcom Abbott Elementary, for which she won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical and the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, respectively. Ralph has appeared on film in A Piece of the Action and Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit, and on Broadway in Thoroughly Modern Millie and Wicked.
History with the Macy's Parade[]
Ralph’s first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade appearance was in 1982, where she, alongside Dreamgirls cast members Jennifer Holliday and Loretta Devine, performed the show’s title song on the NBC telecast.
In 2002, she appeared as Muzzy Van Hossmere with the Broadway ensemble of Thoroughly Modern Millie, performing its title song, "Thoroughly Modern Millie."
Ralph made a surprise appearance as Mrs. Claus on Santa’s Sleigh in the 2023 Parade, marking the first time a celebrity and a Black woman played the role.[1] She appeared dressed in a coat by costume director Kimberly Montgomery and a wig by Cheryl Thomas.[2]
References[]
- ↑ Simon, Alexandra. "Sheryl Lee Ralph cameos as Mrs. Claus in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade." CBS News. November 23, 2023.
- ↑ Instagram post from Eric Gelb. Instagram.com. November 24, 2023.