11/29/23 O&A NYC WILDIN OUT WEDNESDAY: Whoopi Goldberg- Direct From Broadway, 1984 – 1985, (originally – Spook Show)

In 1983 Whoopi Goldberg (Caryn Elaine Johnson) created The Spook Show, a one-woman show composed of different character monologues. Director Mike Nichols offered to take the show to Broadway. Whoopi Goldberg: Direct from Broadway premiered on October 24, 1984 and ran until March 10, 1985, for a total of 156 performances. Continue reading

9/25/14- O&A Hollywood Monday: Miss Sophia – The Color Purple

Hollywood Mondays
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Oprah Winfrey portrayed Sofia in the 1985 movie version of Alice Walkers novel The Color Purple. The role was Winfrey’s first venture into film and for many remains her most recognizable role. Winfrey was the high-spirited and independent Sophia who marries Albert’s (Danny Glovers) son Harpo (Willard E. Pugh). Sofia has suffered abuse from the men in her family, but unlike Celie (Whoopie Goldberg), she refuses to tolerate it. This high-spiritedness proves to be her downfall, as a rude remark to the town mayor’s wife and a retaliatory punch to the mayor himself ends with Sofia beaten and jailed. Continue reading