Sugar MommasAn Interview with Terri J. Vaughn and Vanessa Williams
By Wilson Morales
January 21, 2012
Airing on GMC TV on Jan. 21 is the World Television Premiere of the original gospel play ‘Sugar Mommas,’ starring Terri J. Vaughn and Vanessa Williams.
Directed by Roger Melvin, the cast also includes Rachel True, Lamman Rucker, Tommy Ford and Gospel music sensation VaShawn Mitchell.
‘Sugar Mommas’ centers on three 40-something women who start a bakery together to fulfill their own sweet desires to be independent women after motherhood, failed marriages and the loss of loved ones have left indelible marks on their lives. Together, their story is a celebration of womanhood, the good and the bad, as each learns new lessons about maturing, love and romance, and opportunity.
Blackfilm.com recently spoke with Vaughn and Williams about the play and the characters they play.
How did you get involved with ‘Sugar Mommas’?
Terri J. Vaughn: Well, ‘Sugar Mommas’ was co-produced by my production company, Nina Holiday Entertainment and was written by producing partner Cas Sigers. It was actually originally written as a half hour sitcom, and GMC read it and asked us if we would adapt it to one of their stage plays that they film on their network. They taped their stage plays the same way sitcoms are taped, with four cameras on the set, and we did some location shots. It was an awesome experience and we’re really excited to present this. The story is about two sisters and a close friend and we have a bakery business called ‘Sugar Mommas.’ We’re all in our 40s and we’re going through different things that women go through as we get older. I play Sheila and she’s been widow for eight years and she’s single and she’s 40 and really wants to have a baby. She starts thinking about doing invitro and these different things. We get to address that subject. Rachel True’s character is really focused on her business and her husband is feeling neglected like she’s not giving to the marriage. They end up going through a separation.We’re dealing with that issue. We’re dealing with real life issues in a comical and spiritual way. It really is great to have this voice told from our point of view.
Vanessa Williams: One of the reasons I got involved in the project was because of Terri. Terri and I have this wonderful colleague and sisterhood relationship. We have worked together in the past. We got closer when she was on the set of my show, ‘Soul Food’ years ago and when she called me to do this, I was in. To play sisters is a joyful pleasure. The character I play, Lynn, is Sheila’s older sister and also a cougar on a mission. She’s in her mid-40’s and she’s dating a guy in his 20s. She’s finally free of other people’s opinions. She’s a grown woman and getting over a past relationship that hurt. Much to my wonderful surprise, Tommy Ford and I have great chemistry. He plays my beau and the guy Lynn can’t get out of her blood. He’s just not making a definitive choice and she’s tired of waiting for him and she’s moved on. She’s moved on to this hot young thing and is having a good time. It’s really sweet and cute and we had a good time playing those scenes together.
How you find balance between something that people can relate with and comedy?
TJV: Because it really is comical, just in real life situations. When we are going through it, it doesn’t feel comical to us. If you are watching from the outside, from the dramatic side, there’s comedy. Looking back, when you see a woman in her mid-40s trying to speak young and hip because she’s dating a 20 something year old guy and the conversations that they have, it’s hilarious. With my character wanting to have a baby and meeting a potential guy and talking about that comes out in a comical way even though it’s a serious issue. Watching Rachel, who’s from the sitcom world, and her character being sad about her issues, like lying on the couch and not showering for three days, is comical.
How does it feel being a producer of this? Is there any pressure when you’re acting on it as well?
TJV: No. It was challenging but it was a good challenge. When you are a creative person and you want to expand your creative and artistic growth, it strengthens you. I have a great business partner in Cas Sigers, who helps me on set. We also have business partnership with Swirl Films and I can run over to their table and answer questions with them. Then I have to run back on stage because the stage manager needed me, and that was comical in itself. I don’t mind the hours or the running back and forth because I love it.
How about you, Vanessa? Was this play different from your other projects?
Vanessa Williams: With this project, it was different, as there was no audience. It felt more like television and it was a very demanding and rigorous schedule. I had to shooting 80 pages in two days. It felt more of a television experience than what one does in theater.
How was working with the cast?
TJV: We’re all friends. The chemistry was great. Once they were available and they told me they can do it, I knew we would have a hit because I know their work ethic. I know their sitcom timing and their acting chops. I knew it was going to be a hit and it is.
Do you miss being on a TV series?
VW: I miss being on a TV series. I miss being on a film set. I’m an actor who will work when not working, so it goes without saying. I have a lot of history with Rachel True as well. Terri was wearing many hats on the set, and as a producer, she was able to pull us in together to work in this manner because of our television background. We shot scenes out of order, which we were accustomed to, since we each had done so in the past on various projects. I’m always looking for the opportunity to work with people I know and have history with. For TV veterans, it’s a lot to handle that many pages in that timeframe, but VaShawn Mitchell, who’s never done this sort of platform before, held up his own.
How do you find time to balance life between your projects and family?
TJV: It’s all about timing. My husband has had to have my back and there are a lot of nights where I can’t go home and get my kids ready for school, or help them with their homework at night, but I can relax because I know that my husband is there. It’s a rollercoaster and some days it gets really emotional. I want to do the best that I can in all of it, from being the best mom, best wife, best businesswoman, best actress, and best producer. It can get stressful, but when it’s something that you feel passionate about and that you love, you just do it.
‘Sugar Mommas’ premieres on GMC Saturday, January 21ST at 7:00 p.m. ET with encore broadcasts at 9:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. ET.
