A poster for "The River Niger," a popular Broadway play at the time, hangs on a wall in Roop Marshall's apartment. James Earl Jones would later play the lead role in The River Niger (1976). Roxie Roker received an Obie Award and a Tony nomination for her performance in the Off-Broadway and Broadway productions of the play.
The director felt that Diahann Carroll was too sophisticated to play the role of a welfare mother. However, Carroll was from the Bronx, knew women like Claudine and knew she could play that part as well as anyone else.
Prior to her death, Diana Sands insisted that her very good friend Diahann Carroll be cast in her place.
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content
