Long before she was sitting at the table of the daytime television talk show The View, Whoopi Goldberg was causing a stir on Broadway. In 1984, the Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony (EGOT) winner conceived, wrote, and starred in her solo show, The Whoopi Monologues.
Over forty years later, Kerry Washington had the idea to revive the piece, but this time, the monologues would be divided between five actors. With Goldberg’s blessing, the play found its director, Whitney White, and it is now enjoying an Off-Broadway run at Lincoln Center Theater’s Mitzi E. Newhouse.
Tony Award winner Kara Young opens the night with her portrayal of Fontaine, a philosopher and self-described “thief” with plenty of wit and sass. Young perfectly embodies a hard-knock, unhoused existence, contorting her body in a way suggesting that Fontaine hasn’t seen a restful sleep for quite some time. Her smoke-scarred voice gives Young’s character a “no-holds-barred” approach to life.
Dominique Fishback follows as a pre-adolescent who isn’t quite comfortable in her skin, nor her hair. Fishback playfully engages the audience, relying on them for affirmation and ultimately gaining acceptance for who she is.
Some of the night’s biggest laughs evolve from Danielle Pinnock, a Jamaican lady who is saddled with a white “Old Raisin” of a husband. Pinnock also feeds off the audience and delivers a raucous, hilarious story.
Washington’s “Surfer Girl” doesn’t quite rise to the level of the other monologues, but neither is it an annoying grain of sand. At this point, it feels more like the stereotypical portrayal of a Southern Los Angelina. At first, Washington’s character seems carefree and effervescent, but in time, she is forced to make a difficult decision far beyond what her age demands.
Tony winner Kecia Lewis ends the night with a piece not originally written for the 1984 production but rather introduced in the 20th-anniversary revival. Lewis tackles the struggles of female aging as Lurleen. Reflecting on menopause, her younger days, and gender hypocrisies, Lewis commands the stage as a wise matriarch with still so much to live for.
Goldberg’s work was created in the eighties, a decade filled with fabulous solo performers like Spalding Gray, Eric Bogosian, Lily Tomlin, and John Leguizamo. What they all had in common was an innate ability to see the wide tapestry of humanity. They knew that even the underserved and marginalized deserve a moment in the literal spotlight.
Most of the members in this cast could carry the show by themselves. What a gracious choice to extend such meaty material to other fine performers who all put their distinct imprint on each role.
The Whoopi Monologues is now playing Off-Broadway at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater through August 30th, 2026. For tickets and information. click here
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