See You in 20 Years: Whoopi Goldberg Ends Second Solo Visit to Broadway Jan. 30
By Robert Simonson
30 Jan 2005
Whoopi Goldberg's first solo visit to the Great White Way, 20 years after her eponymously titled 1984 Broadway show first brought her fame, will end its limited run on Jan. 30 at the Lyceum Theatre. It began previews Nov. 6 and opened on Nov. 17.
The show had an October tryout in Philadelphia at the Merriam Theatre before reaching Broadway. The opening at the Lyceum coincided with the 20th anniversary of the original run, which was also at the Lyceum. Critics gave it mixed reviews.
The show re-created the same material seen in the original, in which Goldberg impersonated a series of characters, including a Valley Girl and a pan handler. However, Goldberg revisited the material, adding to and updating it in some instances. A notable addition to the routine was an extended screed against George W. Bush and his administration. Goldberg is known as a vociferous opponent of the current president.
In 1984, Mike Nichols was listed under the heading "production supervised by." This time around he will be lead producer. His associate producers are Tom Leonardis, Hal Luftig, Leonard Soloway and Steven M. Levy.
The praised production launched Goldberg in 1984. She subsequently embarked on a film career, which began auspiciously with the lead role in "The Color Purple," and reached its pinnacle with 1990's Ghost, which won the actress an Oscar. Other films included "Sister Act" and "The Player." She also hosted her own talk show for a time, played a recurring character on "Star Trek: The Next Generation," and has frequently hosted the Oscar ceremonies and co-hosted the annual "Comic Relief" comedy specials. Recently, she was the star of a short-lived sitcom.
Since her solo debut, Goldberg has returned to Broadway in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and Ma Rainey's Black Bottom.
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