D. Wambui Richardson (DWR): <\/strong>At Jubilee, we are committed to telling stories that center the voices, artistry, and resilience of Black Americans. I Got the Last Laugh gives us the chance to shine a light on Jackie \u201cMoms\u201d Mabley\u2014an icon whose name may not be as widely known today, but whose influence runs deep in the history of American comedy and culture. This production not only celebrates her brilliance but also introduces new generations to her legacy, reminding us of the shoulders so many artists stand on.<\/p>\n NBC DFW:<\/strong> Jackie “Moms” Mabley created a specific persona for her performances. How does this play reveal the woman behind the act?<\/p>\n DWR: <\/strong>Moms created a sharp, witty, grandmotherly character who could say things others couldn\u2019t get away with. Behind that persona, though, was a woman of incredible courage who carried both pain and ambition. This play pulls back the curtain to show her humanity\u2014the struggles, the disappointments, the loves, and the triumphs. It reminds us that her comedy wasn\u2019t just an act; it was born from real life experience, resilience, and an unshakable will to be heard.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\tKyra McGhee<\/p>\n \t\t\tKyra McGhee<\/p>\n The play explores the life and career of the pioneering comic.<\/p>\n NBC DFW:<\/strong> What made Jackie “Moms” Mabley distinctive on the Chitlin’ Circuit?\u00a0<\/p>\n DWR: <\/strong>Moms was fearless. On the Chitlin\u2019 Circuit, she wasn\u2019t just another performer\u2014she was a truth-teller wrapped in humor. She spoke directly to her audiences about things they were living through: inequality, injustice, and even the taboos of sexuality. Her comedic timing, her honesty, and her ability to connect across generations made her stand out. She was one of the first women\u2014and certainly one of the first openly queer women\u2014to dominate that circuit, which made her presence revolutionary. NBC DFW:<\/strong> How did she use comedy to talk about sexuality and racism in\u00a0the 1920s – 1960s?<\/p>\n DWR: <\/strong>Moms had an incredible way of taking heavy, even dangerous subjects and making them approachable through humor. In a time when openly discussing race or sexuality could end careers, she used her comedic persona to deliver biting truths. She\u2019d slip in commentary about racism or her attraction to women in ways that made audiences laugh first, then think. Her comedy disarmed people, giving her a platform to challenge prejudice while still entertaining.<\/p>\n NBC DFW:<\/strong> How has she inspired comedians today?<\/p>\n DWR:<\/strong> So many comedians\u2014especially women and comedians of color\u2014owe a debt to Moms Mabley. Her courage to tackle subjects that others avoided opened the door for artists like Richard Pryor, Whoopi Goldberg, Wanda Sykes, and countless others. Her legacy is in every joke that makes us laugh and think at the same time. Today\u2019s comedians continue to draw on that tradition of truth-telling through humor, a tradition she helped pioneer.<\/p>\n![\"Jubilee](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Untitled-2143-edited.jpg\")
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