Taye Diggs is set to co-star alongside Elementary actress Lucy Liu and Oscar nominee Jacki Weaver in the dramatic comedy Stage Mother. The project was announced today (May 1st) by Film Mode Entertainment’s Clay Epstein and Branded Pictures Entertainment founder and producer J. Todd Harris.

Set in the drag queen world of San Francisco, Stage Mother focuses on Maybelline, a conservative church-choir director who inherits her deceased son’s drag club. From there, the Texan bred woman stuns her husband and circle close-minded friends and acquaintances by moving from Texas to San Francisco to save the club from bankruptcy. While in the throes of a culture shock due to her new environment, Maybelline begins to open up and becomes a mother figure to the club’s performers. The film will be directed by Thom Fitzgerald and written by San Francisco scribe Brad Hennig.

“Stage Mother has the sharp balance of humor and drama that characterize a number of films that focus on mature protagonists in unexpected new surroundings, like The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel or Shirley Valentine, and especially those that focus on conservative straight characters coming to embrace the LGBTQ community, as in Pride and Kinky Boots,” Fitzgerald said.

“This star-studded cast, amazingly diverse and entertaining storyline, and incredibly talented team in front of the camera as well as behind the scenes are all part of a recipe for success,” Epstein said. “Stage Mother is a commercially viable and timely film that remains true to its characters and will have audiences and buyers across the world thoroughly engaged from start to finish.”

Diggs is also series regular in the upcoming The CW football drama pilot, Spencer.

Stage Mother

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