Tim Reid Director, Producer Al Freeman Jr. Poppa Actor Paula Kelly Ma Pearl Actor Phylicia Rashad Ma Ponk Actor Polly Bergen Miss Maybry Actor Richard Roundtree Cleve Actor Charles Earl Taylor Jr. Cliff, age 5 Actor Ray J. Norwood Cliff, age 12 Actor Damon Hines Cliff, age 16 Actor Leon Uncle Melvin Actor Salli Richardson-Whitfield Miss Alice Actor Anna Maria Horsford Miss Annie Actor Bernie Casey Mr. Walter Actor Isaac Hayes Preacher Hurn Actor Karen Malina White Mary Actor Paul W. Cooper Screenwriter Michael Bennett Producer Butch Lewis Executive Producer John Simmons Cinematographer David Pincus Film Editing Paul Buckmaster Original Music Lionel Cole Original Music Steve Tyrell Original Music Michael Paul Clausen Production Design Geoffrey S. Grimsman Art Director Kristen McGary Set Decoration Winnie D. Brown Costume Design Jaki Brown Casting