Kerry Washington Leads Ensemble Cast in New Whoopi Goldberg Revival

Directed by Whitney White, the revival departs from the original one-woman structure that catapulted Goldberg to stardom. Instead of a single performer executing quick-change transformations between characters, the new production assigns the five roles to a quintet of actors: Washington, Kara Young, Dominique Fishback, Kecia Lewis, and Danielle Pinnock.

A Collective Approach to Iconic Material

Nobody is Whoopi, but five of us can band together to try to do what she did, Washington said, as reported by Broadway.com.

The original 1984 production, which premiered at the Lyceum Theatre, was noted for Goldberg’s ability to portray five distinct female characters. According to TheWrap, the current staging incorporates stylistic updates, including interludes featuring pop music, lighting designs by Cha See, and a scenic design by Studio Bent that features five separate backstage dressing rooms. Hana S. Kim provides video projections that appear on the dressing room doors.

For the cast members, the production serves as both a tribute and a full-circle moment. Washington, who first encountered the material as an 8-year-old watching the HBO special Whoopi Goldberg: Direct From Broadway, noted that the work fundamentally changed her understanding of theater. Similarly, Kecia Lewis, who saw the original show while in college, described Goldberg’s early work as a “template” for her own career, according to abc7ny.com.

Character Perspectives and Representation

The revival aims to bring Goldberg’s sketches to life through a contemporary lens, highlighting characters from diverse backgrounds. The cast members emphasize that the production focuses on representation, particularly for Black women of varying ages, sizes, and abilities.

The character breakdown for the ensemble includes:

• Fontaine (Kara Young): A PhD-holding junkie who visits the Anne Frank Museum.
• Lurleen (Kecia Lewis): A woman navigating menopause.
• Surfer Girl (Kerry Washington): A character embodying Valley Girl tropes.
• Additional roles: Portrayed by Dominique Fishback (a girl who fantasizes about being blonde) and Danielle Pinnock (a Jamaican woman).

Pinnock, who is a first-generation Jamaican American, stated that the production allows her to bring her cultural background to the forefront. Other cast members, such as Pavar Snipe, highlighted the importance of disability representation within the ensemble, noting that the production provides space for voices that are often ignored.

Goldberg’s Involvement

While Goldberg, an EGOT winner, attended the opening night, she intentionally stepped back from the creative process to allow the ensemble to interpret the material. I didn’t want to impose what it was onto what it is, Goldberg said, as cited by Broadway.com. I wanted it to belong to them.

The production continues to draw attention for its blend of original writing and modern staging. While the show features the wit of Goldberg’s original profiles, reviews note the shift in tone created by the ensemble format. As reported by TheWrap, the production remains a high-profile revival at Lincoln Center, marking a new chapter for a show that has been part of the cultural landscape for over four decades. Washington summarized the impact of the project by telling Goldberg, You're going to lay the groundwork for so many generations of actors and writers and directors to come after you.