Trivia

Suffered a mini-stroke while portraying Fraulein Schneider in the musical "Cabaret" with Joel Grey in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1988. She lost partial mobility on the right side of her face and suffered from a paralyzed chord. Was hospitalized but managed to continue in the role. Was advised by her doctor to avoid musicals for a year so she performed in dramas such as "Steel Magnolias" and "Orpheus Descending" with Vanessa Redgrave. She finally returned to musicals as Golde in "Fiddler On The Roof" in 1990.

Has been nominated twice for Broadway's Tony Award as Best Actress (Featured Role - Musical): in 1994 for a revival of "Grease," and in 1997 for a revival of "Chicago."

Stage: Appeared (as "Miss Hannigan") in "Annie" on Broadway.

Was a registered nurse in Cincinnati, Ohio, before turning to show business.

Stage: Appeared (as "Matron Mama Morton") in "Chicago" on Broadway. NOTE: Nominated for a Tony Award as Best Actress. (1996)

Long divorced, she recently extended her stage name to Marcia Lewis Bryan following her second marriage.

Made her Broadway debut playing Ernestina opposite Phyllis Diller and Ethel Merman in "Hello, Dolly!".

Sideline: acrylic painting.

Stage: Appeared in "Grease" on Broadway. NOTE: Nominated for Tony Award for Best Actress. (1994)

She was a lifelong Democrat.

Upon her death, she was cremated and her ashes returned to her husband.