Whoopi Goldberg: Direct from Broadway (1985) Poster

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10/10
Wonderful Performance by Whoopi
goleafs8425 January 2010
In this one woman show Whoppi Goldberg did on Broadway, she had shown how versatile she could be when she took on characters like the Surfer Chick and Fontaine for example.

As Fointaine (one of my personal favorites), I loved it when he/she sang "Around the World in Eighteen (expletive) Days". The story "Fontaine" tells about leaving the US to travel to Europe was funny, but then it turns depressing when he/she talks about and describes visiting the Anne Frank Museum; She learns about Anne Frank; How she and her family hid from the Nazis; Being found by the Nazis and finds out about her eventual fate. It's amazing how she goes from funny to sad quickly.

Another favorite character was the "Surfer Chick". If you never saw her doing this and just listened, you may have never guessed it was Whoopi. The voice was very believable. It was funny when she would say "He said okay; I said okay; Okay, Okay, Okay"; Very funny. But just like "Fontaine", the story would go to funny to depressing when she talks about being pregnant; Her boyfriend leaves her when he finds out and she has to make a tough decision of either keeping and raising the baby by herself at a young age or getting an abortion.

The two characters mentioned stood out the best more than any other, because although they may be fictional, they were very believable. You laughed during the funny parts and you could feel the pain and hurt during the sad moments.

This early performance by Whoopi was one of her best. I believe this performance i out of print, but if you manage to find a copy; Watch it. It's worth it.
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10/10
Such a classic it's still as powerful 35 years later
jewelergeorgia10 April 2020
Still touches those uncomfortable places with love 35 years later. Whoopi Goldberg is otherworldly kind perfect.
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10/10
A comedy tour de force
TE0730430 May 2023
Warning: Spoilers
In various interviews, Whoopi Goldberg has said that her 1985 one-woman show originated as a vehicle for the budding comedienne to show her range; little did she know that it would launch a formidable and varied career. To me, her original Broadway show is her magnum opus, and one of the finest comic performances I've seen.

Goldberg has also said that she isn't a joke machine, and indeed, her show is a series of vignettes in which various characters tell stories -- not jokes -- that are at once hilarious. Stirring, and subtly provocative. My favorite character is a disabled woman who finally discovers that she is deserving of love.

I don't mean to sound maudlin -- but in my opinion, this show reveals a profound understanding of humans' experiences, and represents the highest form of comedy. It is empathic and cathartic. I own the DVD and still watch it often. If you appreciate intelligent comedy, I highly recommend you watch it.
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