Barbara Roche

MAHALIA CAST BREAKDOWN

 

 

MAHALIA'S FAMILY AND CLOSE FRIENDS

 

MAHALIA JACKSON, the gospel diva from New Orleans who goes from rags to riches, never veering from her vow to sing only gospel and never doubting her ultimate success.  She’s imposing, tall, with sparkling eyes, and a girth that expands with her success.   

 

AUNT DUKE (40s) Mahalia’s strict Baptist aunt who raised her from childhood.   She kept a tight rein on Mahalia – no devil music in her house -- but she taught Mahalia family values and the love of cooking for family and friends around the dinner table. 

 

AUNT HANNAH (late 30s) the good-hearted aunt in who brought Mahalia to Chicago.   They share a close, loving bond.  A hard-working cook for white folks, she has health problems.

 

GRANDFATHER PAUL CLARK (PAPA) ( 70s) tall, sturdy and proud,  is a former slave on a Louisiana plantation, who is now a preacher.  Mahalia uses fees from uneventful Decca recordings to bring Papa to Chicago for his first visit with near-tragic results.

 

GREGORY CLARK, (20s) Mahalia’s young nephew from New Orleans, part of her entourage.

 

DOREEN WILKS, Mahalia’s contemporary, her loyal best friend and her fierce protector.  She’s slender, sweet, with a sense of humor. 

 

 

MAHALIA'S HUSBANDS

 

ISAAC ‘IKE’ HOCKENHULL (early 30s) her first husband is an educated chemist with two college degrees and great aspirations for Mahalia’s career.   His nickname “Seein’ Eye Ike” derives from his affection for playing the ponies.   During the Depression he works for the post office and later sells insurance. 

 

MINTERS GALLOWAY (40s) the younger husband she marries at the height of her fame and influence.  He is everything a woman like Mahalia would want:  tall, handsome, light-complexioned, charming, attentive, well-groomed.  He is a trained musician and has great aspirations for Mahalia’s career.   His drinking and womanizing out of frustration becomes a painful embarrassment to the revered church woman.

 

 

MAHALIA'S MUSIC BUSINESS ASSOCIATES AND FRIENDS

 

THE JOHNSON GOSPEL SINGERS, in their early-to-late 20s: PRINCE JOHNSON, leader and pianist, his brothers ROBERT and WILBUR -- the country’s very first organized gospel group.  With Mahalia as their star, they do well at the big “society” Baptist churches.

 

STUDS TERKEL, white contemporary of Mahalia, short and slender.  He is an outspoken advocate of liberal causes and host of his own daily radio show, the first person to introduce Mahalia’s gospel songs to white audiences.  They remain lifelong friends. 

 

MAYOR RICHARD J. DALEY, 35 when Mahalia first sings on his behalf.  He is a short, burly, impeccably dressed Irishman who speaks softly, but carries the big stick to keep his city racially segregated.   Their lifelong friendship is based on exchanging mutually advantageous favors. 

 

MILDRED FALLS, a short roly-poly contemporary;  Mahalia’s “gospel fist” piano accompanist of 20 years, who anticipates every note and breath Mahalia sings. 

 

HOSEA “SONNY” NELSON,  talented keyboard artist, a tall, pleasant-faced Alabaman, he’s in his early 20s when he joins Mahalia as her organist and becomes her friend and confidant. 

 

 

MAHALIA'S SHOW BUSINESS ASSOCIATES 

 

BESS BERMAN, the tough, white New York owner of Apollo Records, with whom Mahalia shares a contentious hate/love relationship salved by the money they make together.  Neither can ever admit she’s wrong.

 

ART FREEMAN (mid-30s) Apollo’s serious-minded, talented A&R director who wants to do what’s right for everyone.  He often concedes to Mahalia’s demands and endures the ire of his boss Bess for doing so.

 

JOE BOSTIC (late 40s) the gentlemanly New York church agent and early gospel promoter is imposing, conservatively well-dressed and businesslike.  He risks all to star Mahalia at Carnegie Hall as its first-ever gospel star.

 

MITCH MILLER, Mahalia’s white contemporary is Columbia Records’ legendary A&R director, who woos Mahalia away from Apollo for his label.  Energetic, an excellent businessman, he’s a totally hip, goateed musician-showman who gets what he wants from his artists. 

 

DINAH SHORE, Mahalia’s contemporary, slender, blond, sweet-spoken, host of her own TV show on which Mahalia is a frequent guest.  Like Mahalia, Dinah can’t read music, either.

 

 

THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON IN MAHALIA'S LIFE

 

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., (27 when they meet) charismatic visionary whose dream of equality for their people resonates viscerally with Mahalia and changes her life.   Totally focused and dedicated to his mission, he depends on Mahalia for support.  He is down-to-earth and a relaxed guest in Mahalia’s home.  They are so close, Minters accuses him of being “the third person in our marriage.” 

 

 

OTHER PEOPLE ALONG THE WAY

 

Professor Dubois, (50s) Mahalia’s one and only music teacher, condescending, haughty

Alderman Bill Dawson, Daley’s pal and the only black member of the City Council

Decca Records executive, who persuades Mahalia to cut a jazz record

Uncle Porter, good-natured but cynical Pullman porter

Red neck cook , the embodiment of racism

Rev. Ralph Abernathy, Dr. King’s SCLC associate

Dr. Barclay, Mahalia’s white physician

Bing Crosby

Crooked gospel promoter

Revs. Jesse Jackson, Clay Evans, Leon Jenkins