By Christopher Cappiello

Bipolar, Bath and Beyond Benefits Center

When asked how she came up with the title for her new solo show, Bipolar, Bath and Beyond, Jenifer Lewis quickly shares, “Well, I am bipolar. I was diagnosed 10 years ago, and it was time to come out with that.” It’s not the kind of answer one expects from the often hilarious performer who has built a reputation as a singer (she was one of Bette Midler’s Harlettes), an actress (Tina Turner’s mother in What’s Love Got to Do With It?) and comedienne (Lifetime’s mockumentary hit Jackie’s Back!). But Lewis feels strongly about talking honestly about life’s realities. “It’s important that we share our stories. I don’t ask that you get on stage to do it—only a few can do that—but that in some form or fashion we share not only the beauty of life, but what our issues and challenges are.”

Her new show features a collection of her favorite songs and a script that she wrote with frequent collaborator Mark Alton Brown. Accompanying the diva on piano is none other than five-time Oscar nominated composer Marc Shaiman. “He met me when I was a Harlette with Bette Midler,” Lewis explains about their 20-year friendship. Among the songs in Bipolar is “Let a Big Black Lady Stop the Show,” a new song by Shaiman. Lewis also sings “Black Don’t Crack,” “one of my legendary numbers about how black women just don’t age,” she explains with a hearty laugh. She also sings “It Feels Right” to her daughter, a sophomore in college who Lewis adopted when she was 12.

Lewis is doing the show on Saturday nights at the Gay & Lesbian Center. How did that come about? “They have only but to ask me,” she replies with heartfelt affection. “And this particular show is raising money for the homeless kids over there, so nobody had to twist my arm. If I have the time, I’m there. And even if I don’t have the time, I’m there.”

Back in the early ‘80s Lewis originated the role of Effie in the first workshops of Dreamgirls. In the lead up to the Oscars, she has nothing but good things to say about the film adaptation with eight nominations. “Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful film. I’m very proud of Jennifer [Hudson] and all of them. They all did a wonderful job.”

Lewis spent last summer performing in New York’s Central Park in Bertolt Brecht’s Mother Courage and Her Children opposite Meryl Streep and Kevin Kline. “Well, that was life altering,” she says emphatically. “To work with Meryl Streep was literally life altering for me. I never felt so challenged. She didn’t even have to say anything—her light gave me permission to do my best. It was just a marvelous summer.”

As for future plans for Bipolar, she’s not worrying about that just yet. “Right now I’m doing it for fun and for the community. I’ve been so blessed in my career and my life, and that desperate, ‘Oh, I wish, I hope’ shit is gone! I couldn’t care less. I just want to live in the moment now and have a good time. My daughter’s healthy, my life and career are good. It comes as it comes, and we celebrate life. I just turned 50, and that’s how I feel.”

Bipolar, Bath and Beyond plays Saturdays at 8 p.m. through March 3 at the Renberg Theatre at the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center’s Village at Ed Gould Plaza, 1125 N. McCadden Place, L.A. For information and tickets ($25), call (323) 860-7300 or visit www.lagaycenter.org/boxoffice.