Clarice Taylor(1917-2011)

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.