Involved in a lawsuit in the late 1980s over ownership rights of the
play "Moms," based on the life of Chitlin' Circuit comedienne
Moms Mabley.
Ms. Taylor developed interest in creating a full-length play after
portraying Moms in a sketch in an off-off-Broadway production in the
early 1980s. Taylor collaborated with friend and Obie-winning writer
Alice Childress on the play with Childress receiving sole copyright for her
writing of the play, although Taylor provided much of the research
material and suggested characters and scenes. Eventually, personal and
professional relations broke down between the two, and Taylor produced
a new play based on the comedienne. Alleged copyright infringements
eventually led to a legal action with Childress emerging
victorious.