Miss Brooks - the only black student in her Regents classes - was told by one teacher to "go down south."

Miss Brooks, at the age of 72, is a phenomenon.

Miss Brooks was actually in some of those sequences.

Miss Brooks's mother, Shirley, worked at the shop until she came up with the idea of a store that sold light bulbs only.

"My mother realized the need for a specialty lighting store on a retail level," Miss Brooks said.

Miss Brooks, formerly a financial analyst, left her job to work with her mother.

Miss Brooks' references to her own usually-in-the-shop car became one of the show's running gags.

Miss Brooks's young students in this company are remarkable: They dance from within.

Miss Brooks, who laughs easily, offered her own story.

Like many musicians of the time, Miss Brooks values the idea of entertainment.