Whoopi Goldberg May Be Headed Off-Broadway as Comedienne Moms Mabley

Whoopi Goldberg plans to direct a documentary about Moms Mabley, the pioneering African-American comedienne portrayed by Goldberg in a 1983 solo show produced in San Francisco. According to Variety, Goldberg may also resurrect her theatrical salute, Moms, for an off-Broadway production. Goldberg is aiming to film the documentary by the end of 2011; timing for a possible stage production has not been announced.

While co-hosting The View, Goldberg is maintaining a busy schedule as a theater producer. In addition to the musical adaptation of her hit film Sister Act, which opens on April 20 at the Broadway Theatre, she is involved with the Chicago premiere of White Noise, described as the story of a pop duo whose songs are coded white supremacist anthems. That show is now running at the Royal George Theatre in a production directed by Broadway vet Sergio Trujillo.

Goldberg, who won as Tony as part of the 2002 producing team of Thoroughly Modern Millie, told Variety that her producing style is “as hands-on as I can be without being annoying," adding that she is drawn to varied musicals with varied styles and subject matter. "Sister Act you can take the baby to see. White Noise you can take teenagers, and then have a discussion with them afterwards."

As an actress, Goldberg's Broadway credits include Xanadu, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and two solo shows. She reiterated to Variety that she has no plans to join the Broadway cast of Sister Act after having played Mother Superior in the London production.