Fil-Am heiress in one-woman play

MANILA, Philippines - International actress Leslie Lewis-Sword, elder daughter of Fil-Am Loida Nicolas-Lewis, a native of Sorsogon in Bicol and the late African-American billionaire Reginald Francis Lewis, together with executive producer Roger Chua, bring to Manila Miracle in Rwanda, a one- woman show she created and stars in from July 14 to 22 at Insular Life Theatre in Makati.

It is based on the incredible true story of Rwandan genocide survivor Immaculée Ilibagiza, a real life messenger of hope and forgiveness. After premiering in Naples, Florida and a triumphant Soho run in New York City in 2007, the one hour play inspired a world tour that spanned 17 cities and five continents and generated critical acclaim at each stop.

For its Philippine premiere, major sponsors include Oscar J.Hilado of Phinma Foundation, Inc. and Mariposa Foundation, Inc. and Rene “Butch” S. Meily of PLDT-Smart Foundation, Inc. together with various civil society groups that will mount the show to raise funds for their non-profit projects.

These are Dodie Lucas for Sambayan Educational Foundation of St.Theresa’s College (SEFI), lawyer Katrina Legarda for Women’s Lawyers Circle (WILOCI); art patron Tessie Luz for Catholic Women’s Club (CWC); General Jimmy de los Santos for UP Cooperative/UP Vanguard; Angel Nacino for Manila Chamber Orchestra Foundation; Carmen Arceno of Inner Wheel Club of Makati Edsa, Chito Liban and wife Maribel for Couples for Christ Foundation for Family and Life, Novaliches district; Danny Dolor for Confradia de la Immaculada Concepcion and Ronald D. Acolola Jr. for St.Pius X Seminary Alumni Association Manila Chapter.

Leslie traveled to Rwanda with Ilibagiza to develop this unique piece of theater where she plays various roles, brilliant and compelling, effortlessly switching from one to the next according to Epoch Times. She has performed Miracle in Rwanda over 100 times. Her work has been nominated for an Amnesty International Freedom Expression Award, an Audele award for best solo performance and honored by numerous prestigious festivals.

Leslie made her New York debut as Dorothy Dandridge in a solo show at the National Black Theater of Harlem. Other credits include co-starring with Billy Zane in the short film Starving Hysterical Naked, a biopic about the Beat Generation Writers. She graduated from Harvard University cum laude, and received her MFA in acting from UCLA’s Department of Theater. Leslie and her husband have adopted two children from Rwanda, and she divides her time between NYC, Los Angeles and Vancouver.

For details, visit www.miracleinrwanda.com or call or text Liza (0919-410 3770) or Charmane (0929-586 7746).