Whoopi Goldberg had to cancel her London run in "Sister Act" after her mother suffered a stroke, the producers of the musical announced.

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Goldberg's sudden departure short-circuited a brief run that The Daily Mail said Saturday had caused a spike in ticket sales for the production at the London Palladium.

Goldberg returned to the United States Friday, leaving the roll of Mother Superior to an understudy who will give way to actress Sally Dexter sometime next week.

Goldberg had been originally scheduled to play the role through the end of August.

Goldberg starred as lounge singer Delores Van Cartier in the 1992 film of the same name; however, she decided that at age 54 she would be better suited for the Mother Superior role, The Daily Mail said.