Kerry Washington Stars in Ensemble Revival of The Whoopi Monologues

A New Ensemble Vision for a Solo Classic

Directed by Whitney White, the production features Kerry Washington, Kara Young, Dominique Fishback, Kecia Lewis, and Danielle Pinnock. While Goldberg performed all five roles herself during the show’s original 1984 run at the Lyceum Theatre and its subsequent revival 20 years later, the current production distributes these characters among the five actors. According to abc7ny.com, Washington explained the shift by noting, Because nobody's Whoopi Goldberg, it's going to take five of us to do one of her.

A Transformative Influence

For the cast members, the production represents a full-circle moment rooted in their early exposure to Goldberg’s work. Washington, who was captivated by Goldberg’s HBO special Whoopi Goldberg: Direct From Broadway as an eight-year-old in the Bronx, stated that the material changed her understanding of acting. It really changed me. It changed my idea of what was possible with theater, Washington said, as reported by Broadway.com.

Similarly, Kecia Lewis recalled seeing the original show while in college, describing it as a “template” for her own career. Danielle Pinnock noted that she frequented the Lincoln Center Library as a teenager to study Goldberg’s work. Goldberg herself expressed support for the new interpretation, stating that she chose not to impose her own vision on the project. I didn’t want to impose what it was onto what it is. I wanted it to belong to them, the EGOT winner said.

Staging and Contemporary Presentation

The revival incorporates modern production elements to bridge the gap between the 1984 source material and a contemporary audience. Director Whitney White utilizes flashy interludes, raucous pop music, and disco lighting designed by Cha See. The set, created by Studio Bent, features five backstage dressing rooms, with doors that occasionally function as projection screens for video designs by Hana S. Kim, according to thewrap.com.

The ensemble cast portrays a diverse range of characters, including Fontaine, played by Kara Young; Lurleen, played by Kecia Lewis; a character fantasizing about being blonde, played by Dominique Fishback; a Jamaican woman, played by Danielle Pinnock; and a “Surfer Girl” character portrayed by Kerry Washington.

Commitment to Representation

Cast members have emphasized that the production serves as a platform for diverse representation. According to abc7ny.com, performer Pavar Snipe highlighted the inclusion of disability representation, noting that she is a disabled actor playing a character who is not disabled.

For the performers, the show is also a testament to the camaraderie among Black women in theater. There's something about being in a room with Black women who are generous and kind and supportive, Kecia Lewis said. The production aims to highlight characters from various walks of life, focusing on those who cast members feel are often ignored or underrepresented, with Denise Manning noting that the show is rooted in rigor, excellence, craft.