Whoopi Goldberg Eyes Broadway Return in One-Woman Show About Comedy Legend Jackie ‘Moms’ Mabley

Is Whoopi Goldberg going vaudeville? The View star hit the red carpet at the Neil Simon Theatre on October 7 to celebrate the opening night of Big Fish, and Broadway.com got the scoop on what the actress and comedian hopes will be her next stage project.

“Probably the next thing I’ll do [on Broadway] is a one-woman show about Moms Mabley,” Goldberg revealed. “I can do her material, and the material still works.” Goldberg is currently directing and producing the new documentary Moms Mabley: I Got Somethin' to Tell You, which will air on HBO November 18. The outspoken African-American comedian was one of the most popular performers in the vaudeville “Chitlin’ Circuit,” tackling topics of racism and swooning over younger men while wearing a baggy housecoat and a big hat. Her appearances on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour introduced her to a new audience of mainstream viewers in the late ‘60s. Mabley passed away in 1975 at the age of 81.

Goldberg last appeared on Broadway as scheming sister Calliope in Xanadu. Additionally she's starred in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and her solo shows Whoopi Goldberg in 1984 and Whoopi in 2004, which she also wrote. Goldberg served as producer for Thoroughly Modern Millie and Sister Act.

Want to learn more about Moms Mabley? Click below to hear her words of wisdom.