Kerry Washington and cast bring 'The Whoopi Monologues' to a new generation
NEW YORK (WABC) -- Iconic, provocative, raw, amusing and deeply human are just some of the words used to describe "The Whoopi Monologues," the groundbreaking 1984 one-woman show that catapulted a then-unknown Whoopi Goldberg into a decades-long career spanning theater, television and film.
Now, not one but five women are stepping into Goldberg's shoes, reimagining the show for a new generation at Lincoln Center.
"And because nobody's Whoopi Goldberg, it's going to take five of us to do one of her, and we're being led by the brilliant Whitney White," Kerry Washington said.
"We've got five different characters covering all types of women from all different walks of life, and you've got to come see that," Kai Heath added.
Washington, Kara Young, Dominique Fishback, Danielle Pinnock and Kecia Lewis each take on a unique character with a distinct point of view, bringing Goldberg's work to life through a contemporary lens.
"These are the people that get ignored," Young said. "These are the people that are just looking for a little bit of space and time to be seen and heard."
Pavar Snipe said she connected deeply with her character.
"Because I can relate to so much that she's going through," Snipe said. "She's a woman of a certain age. She's menopausal. She's talking about how horrible it is, and nobody tells you these things until it happens to you. And she's a mom, and she's just talking about her journey growing up with her mom."
For Pinnock, the production also provides an opportunity to highlight her own cultural background.
"Being a first-generation Jamaican American, this means so much to be able to bring my culture to the forefront in this incredible piece," Pinnock said. "Whoopi Goldberg has been able to give a human face to the immigrant experience, and so I cannot wait for audiences to see it and for the Caribbean community to come through."
Lewis praised the camaraderie among the cast.
"There's something about being in a room with Black women who are generous and kind and supportive, and everybody's striving for excellence because of our love and respect for Whoopi and making sure that the things that are important to her are said," Lewis said.
Fishback said the material continues to reveal new layers with each performance.
"The piece itself is so incredibly masterful that every day there's going to be something new when we get on that stage," she said.
When asked by Joelle Garguilo what she would say to Goldberg in 1984, Washington reflected on the performer's lasting impact.
"You're going to lay the groundwork for so many generations of actors and writers and directors to come after you," Washington said.
Lewis recalled seeing the original production while she was in college.
"I thank you because I saw that show when I was in college," Lewis said. "The inspiration, first of all, to see someone who looked like me, to see someone who was doing something out of their own mind, creating work for themselves. I had never seen anything like that. That's why I kept going back again and again, and it was a template for me."
For Heath, participating in the production is especially meaningful.
"Whoopi Goldberg is on my mirror," Heath said. "You don't see it right now, but the chills are here every day. It's what it's all about."
Asked what audiences should know about The Whoopi Monologues, cast members pointed to the production's commitment to representation, excellence and joy.
"This is representation at its finest," Snipe said. "This is an opportunity to see Black women of different ages, different sizes, different backgrounds, different abilities represented in a way that we don't really get to see. We have disability representation. I get to play a character who is not disabled as a disabled actor. That doesn't happen."
Denise Manning emphasized the show's high standards.
"It's also going to be excellence, which is my favorite thing about Whoopi," Manning said. "She's funny. She plays, but she's no joke. You're going to see rigor, excellence, craft and joy."
Pinnock offered a simple invitation to theatergoers.
"Come and see The Whoopi Monologues," she said. "You're going to have a lot of fun."
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