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WHO'S WHO IN THE CAST 

CLARICE TAYLOR* (Jackie 'Moms' Mabley) received an Obie Award for her Off-Broadway appearances as "Moms" Mabley. Her extensive stage career has included starring on Broadway in The Wiz, working with the Lincoln Centre Repertory Theatre, The American Negro Theatre, the New York Shakespeare Festival and many other companies. She has gained National affection as television Grandma Huxtable, Bill Cosby's mother in The Cosby Show, for which she won an Emmy nomination. Television audiences have also seen her in shows such as Purlie, Sanford & Son, Spenser For Hire, The Nurses and Sesame Street. Her movies include; Play Misty for Me (with Clint Eastwood), Change of Mind, Tell Me That You Love Me Junie Moon (with Liza Minelli), Sommersby and Smoke. Internationally she has achieved acclaim for her performances from London and Rome to Australia and Germany. The Role of "Moms" is one of her most demanding. She admires Mabley for entertaining for over sixty years. 

JOHN STANLEY (Luther/Musical Director) is a Native of Richmond VA, who now resides in New York City. Stanley attended Morgan State University in Baltimore, MD. His stage plays include, Lost in the Stars, A Good Man is Hard To Find, Black Nativity and God's Trombones. His television appearances include The Tonight Show, Oprah, The View, Rosanne, Lou Rawls Parade of Stars, and Elizabeth Taylor's 65th Birthday Special. For the past eight years, has toured with Patti Labelle as a back-up vocalist and pianist. Stanley has also worked with Stephanie Mills, Alyson Williams, Ashford and Simpson, Tony Terry, and Gerald Levert. He currently serves in the capacity of Minister of Music at All Saints Catholic Church in Manhattan. 

MONIIFA MAH'T (Jeanie, Dinah Washington, Billie Holiday) is delighted to join Ms. Clarice Taylor and the talented cast of Moms and Her Ladies. Her theatrical credits include: The Gershwin musical, George and Ira, at New York's Schimmel Center and the Off-Off Broadway musical drama Oh Freedom starring Jack Waddell Tours include: Reading Rainbow, the Emmy Award winning PBS children television program produced by Theatre Works USA; and the critically acclaimed jazz opera, Fred Ho's Warrior Sister in Phoenix, Arizona. She has starred in numerous cabaret showcases, including Don't Make Me Over, a show that Moniifa wrote, produced and performed at the Traid supper club, in NY. Most recently she appeared in The Heart of Harlem a musical poetry performance based on the poetry of Langston Hughes. Currently Moniifa can be hard on ASHE a pop culture/community-oriented radio talk show that she co-hosts and produces each week on WHCR 90.3 FM. Her performance is dedicated to her family and close friends, especially her Mom and Dad, whose unflinching support and encouragement has been a constant source of inspiration. "I believe with God's grace and guidance, we can heal our hearts through the power of music."

LINDA BROCKINGTON (Ma Rainey/Choir Director) a native New Yorker, is a well known choir director in the metropolitan area. As a senior musician of the

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St. Anthony Baptist Church, her musical and administrative leadership has led choirs to the Gospel Academy Awards, television appearances and even to the big screen. Most recently, her work will be evidenced in the upcoming HBO movie, Angels in America, starring Al Pacino, Meryl Streep, Jeffrey Wright and Emma Thompson. Ms. Brockington's embodiment of work also includes: A Gathering of the Sisterhood, featuring Patti LaBelle, commissioned by Susan L. Taylor of Essence. In addition, the 1997 Essence Awards, with Jennifer Holliday, the Apollo Theater, the Special Olympics and the 90th Annual N.A.A.C.P. Covention with Tramaine Hawkins, Kirk Whalum and Elder Timothy Wright. She and the Children of Light provided musical support for the art exhibition of Leslie Dill's Tongues on Fire, shown at the Interfaith Center, New York City. Her work with the Grace McCollum Youth Ensemble, inspired Talise Moore of the Amsterdam News to proclaim, "this is what can be accomplished with guidance and divine input." A recipient of the Woman of Excellence award by Rev. Al Sharpton, Ms. Brockington has appeared at international venues as well. She performed with Joe Lee Wilson at the Marciac Jazz Festival in the south of France and the late Dexter Gordon at the first jazz festival in Casabanca, Morocco. To quote him, "Girl, I always knew you could do it."  All of her accomplishments were encouraged by her greatest and most loving supporter - her mother! But most of all, Linda gives all honor, praise and thanks to the One who predestinated her gifts. "To be able to soothe and inspire people with this great gift of music, makes me know, without provocation, that God has personally smiled on me."

OLIVIA HARRIS (Mahalia Jackson) A native of Durham, North Carolina. Her first performance was at the age of six singing on the WSRC radio station for the T. Ruth Gospel Hour. She has performed at colleges, hotels, toured nationally and in Europe with the Marvelettes Group, Joe Tex Revue, Lonnie Yongblood and Roy Radin's Tours working with Barbara McNair, Sherman Hemsley, Joe Frasier, Cissy Houston and Dennis Day. Studio sessions included a recording with the Sounds of Philadelphia. Background Studio Sessions with Roy Ayers and other artists. Olivia also produced her own shows at clubs such as Sweetwaters, The Duplex, The Cellar, Mikels and Le Bar Bat. Other credits consist of extra work in films, TV, BB King commercial, Chapman Roberts Broadway Soul on Broadway with Savion Glover and the Vy Higginson's Sunday Gospel Brunch. Olivia now enjoys singing Gospel with her church choir at St. Joseph of The Holy Family and concerts with other churches within the Harlem Catholic Diocese. 

RODNEY GERMAN (Minstrel, Back-Up Singer, Announcer) was born and raised in New York. Right here in the Village of Harlem. Rodney's rich tenor voice was cultivated while singing the Lord's Praises in various church choirs in Harlem. He now sings with the Salvation and Deliverance Church, Radio & Television Choir and directs the men's choir. An honorably discharged veteran of the United States Air force, Rodney completed and won the Best Male Vocalist in the Military Competition Tops in Blue. He was in the cast of 'MOMS' in this past fall's Production and loves to sing the Lord's Praises.