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Following an abrupt hiatus from her role in the London musical 'Sister Act,' Whoopi Goldberg is set resume her role for five additional performances next month.
The Academy Award-winning actress initially departed from the London production in August to return home, where her mother, Emma Johnson, suffered from a stroke.
In light of her mother's death two days later on Aug. 29, the 54-year-old took time to reflect on the life and times of Johnson's death during the season premiere of 'The View.'
"My brother and I were very, very lucky to have her in our lives," Goldberg said during Tuesday's episode. "So I'm not sad, because she had a great time."
"My mother was a great adventure person, so she loved to go on adventures, and my brother and I made sure that her life was full and rich," adding that Johnson received her master's in early childhood education at New York University.
"I think I'm just sad sometimes that I think, 'Who will love me the way that she did?' But I realize that my brother and I have each other and so we're okay."
In spite of 'The View' co-host's recent loss, her 'Sister Act' cast members are "devastated" by the tragic news and remain supportive.
"Everyone at 'Sister Act' was devastated for Whoopi when she needed to leave us to return home to be with her family," Stage Entertainment UK CEO Bill Taylor said in a statement. "Our thoughts are continually with them over this difficult period. I think everyone knows what a special person she is. But that she is committed to returning and completing her run at the Palladium leaves me speechless in admiration."
"I'd also like to thank the wonderful and gracious Sally Dexter for her understanding and utter professionalism. It's an honor to have both of these women as part of our company," he concluded.
Beginning Oct. 22, Whoopi will alternate her role at London's Palladium with Sally Dexter, who currently plays Mother Superior, until the production closes on Oct. 30.
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Fans of the hit ABC medical drama 'Grey's Anatomy' know that Chandra Wilson has a knack for playing tough broads. This summer, the award-winning actress returns to her theater roots with a role in the legendary Broadway musical, 'Chicago.' From June 8 through July 5, the woman known to many as Dr. Miranda Bailey on the Shonda Rhimes-produced series will take on the celebrated role of reigning cellblock diva Matron "Mama" Morton at Broadway's Ambassador Theatre. The Houston native and three time Emmy Award nominated thespian's previous Broadway credits include 'Caroline, or Change,' 'Avenue Q' and 'On the Town.'
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Phylicia Rashad, who warmed millions of TV viewers' hearts in the 1980s as Clair Huxtable on the groundbreaking NBC sitcom 'The Cosby Show,' has taken on a role like none other. Making a triumphant return to Broadway this spring, the Tony Award-winning star of plays such as 'A Raisin in the Sun,' 'Gem of the Ocean' and 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,' exposes an emotional depth and acting range that is unparalleled. In the Pulitzer prize-winning play 'August: Osage County,' Rashad portrays Violet Weston, the pill-popping, acid-tongued, no-holds-barred central figure of a dysfunctional clan experiencing the sudden loss of its patriarch.
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Hollywood heavyweight Cedric The Entertainer joined Tony Award nominee John Leguizamo and Academy Award nominee Hayley Joel Osment in a November 2008 revival of David Mamet's classic play, 'American Buffalo,' which played a short riun at the Belasco Theatre on Broadway. Following three small-time crooks who wax philosophically about society while conspiring to steal a rare and valuable coin from a neighborhood collector, the Oscar Joyner produced production marked the funnyman's debut on The Great White Way.
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'American Idol' Season 1 finalist Tamyra Gray blazed a new trail on Broadway when she revamped the look of lead character Mimi, a drug addicted HIV positive spitfire in the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning musical 'Rent.' It wasn't the first time around the track for the former Georgia pageant queen; she previously starred in the Indian inspired outing, 'Bombay Dreams.'
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Academy Award winning film veteran Morgan Freeman made a return to The Great White Way in April 2008. The last time the 'Million Dollar Baby' actor appeared on the Broadway stage before: 1988's 'The Gospel at Colonus.' As Frank Elgin, the Memphis native took on a roll traditionally played by a white actor in the Mike Nichols-directed revival.
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Sexy 'Soul Food' star Boris Kodjoe stepped up his acting game by filling in for Terrence Howard during a break in production of the sell-out, all-black version of Tennessee Williams' play 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.' Though it was only two weeks, the former fashion model turned pin-up hunk received high marks for taking on the lead role as sexually tormented jock, Brick. He held his own alongside Tony Award winning thespians James Earl Jones, Phylicia Rashad and Anika Noni Rose.
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Comments: (33)
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By: "DimePiece" on 9/08/2010 6:25PM
My condolences goes out to Whoopi and Family. I missed yesterday's episode on The View? I'm glad she is doing OK? She has her brother but always remember, God will always be there for ya Whoopi to help you get through these hard and difficult times.
R.I.P. Emma Johnson
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By: poetrysez on 9/08/2010 10:08PM
My condolence goes out to Whoopi and the rest of her family. Whoopi said her mom
lived a full/rich life and that's a great thing. Mrs. Emma Johnson, adventurer, educator... and all around great mom!
Even though the only person who can truly answer that question is the person the question is pertaining too, however; sometimes staying busy is a part of the process. Whoopi and her brother helped enrich their mom’s life not burden her down. There was lots of love given and received.
Amen
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By: jan on 9/09/2010 7:17AM
Whoopi you'll in our prayers when we lose someone that's very close to us sometimes it becomes dificult to adjust to the fact their gone and in order to do that we keep busy and that's what whoopi is doing because if you sit around doing nothing , every detail you think about comes in to play and you bellow & whine to the extent of no return so it's a good thing that people keep busy not to confuse the thought that you'll not thinking about that love one , but you are everyday for rest of your life
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By: JOAN on 9/09/2010 7:39AM
WHEN YOU GIVE RESPECT AND SPEND TIME WITH YOUR FAMILY YOUR LOSS IS LESSEN. MAY THE PEACE OF THE LORD BE WITH YOU AND YOUR BROTHER.
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By: Gail on 9/09/2010 8:08AM
My heart goes out to Whoopi. I saw The View yesterday and I had tears in my eyes. Whoopi and her mom had such a beautiful relationship. Thank God. It's a blessing. I'm thankful that I have a great relationship with my mom too. Wish it was like that for other Mothers and Daughters.....
Whoopi..I feel you girl!!!!...God is keeping you strong.
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By: Jazz in Michigan on 9/09/2010 8:16AM
I am so very sorry for your loss, Whoopi. I was not even aware of your mother's passing. Its difficult right now, but every day gets a little better. Just when we are the weakest, God shows His presence.
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By: Ikalean on 9/09/2010 9:33AM
Whoop! My heart and prayers are for you and your family members. I feel for you and I ask my Creator to take you through this period of morning with all that can be given you so you don't have pain of loss or many times when your heart ache for the presence of your mother.
I loss my dad two years ago and I still morn his leaving me. He was 89 years old and was in good health until he had a sudden stroke and died 3 days later. I talked to him everyday and saw him every two weeks. He was my last parent of 3 parents (mother and step-mother) and an aunt who was my God-mother. I felt alone like never before. My children couldn't console me because the lost was so great. But I am hear to say that at last after 3 years, I don't cry daily or my heart doesn't ache with the same amount of pain as before. I think I don't want to leave here any longer. At last, I have accepted his going on. I love your work as an actress and host on the View and I love hearing your view on life. I say to you, go on and LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE!
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By: globeeii on 9/09/2010 9:57AM
I'm sadden by the loss of Emma Johnson, Whoopi Goldberg's mom. Whoopi, may God's love comfort you now and forever. Emma Johnson was obliviously a very special lady,to have such an amazing girl. Whoopi, you will always be mama's girl. Let that girl live,love and laugh and tell mama's stories. She is always with you. We love you.
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By: ohreally on 9/09/2010 10:02AM
My condolences to your family.. my aunt who was very close to the family, like a 2nd mother, passed almost 3yrs ago.. sometimes it doesn't seem like it's been that long but it has..
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By: Ruth Simpson on 9/09/2010 10:07AM
My heart goes out to Whoopi and her family. I think she should return to work ASAP to get her mind off the death of her mother whom she loved dearly. I suppose her mother would have wanted her to continue live and not sit around and grieve over her death. I have to keep busy myself to keep from grieving over my love ones. Grieving will bring you into a deep depression. So keeping busy helps you out a lot.
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