I only met Jennifer Hudson’s mother Darnell Donerson on two occasions — the night Hudson won her Oscar, and a few weeks later, when the newly-minted Academy Award winner was honored in Chicago.

On Oscar night in Hollywood, Mrs. Donerson told me, ‘‘I have to keep pinching myself. This is so unbelievable,’’ said Mrs. Donerson at the Governors Ball, just as her daughter ran up — tightly clutching her new Oscar — who stressed, ‘‘If it wasn’t for my Mama — I wouldn’t be here!’’

†Going back over my notes from our second chat, that chilly early March day in 2007, makes me even sadder — as I am again reminded of the strong love and devotion the Oscar winner’s mother had for her daughter.

Hudson had returned home in glory, honored by both her alma mater, Dunbar Vocational High School, and the city of Chicago, celebrating the young singer and novice actress winning an Academy Award for her first film, ‘‘Dreamgirls.’’

Even after experiencing all that  Oscars hoopla, it was clear Mrs. Donerson was still shy talking with the press. ‘‘I’m still not used to this. This is Jennifer’s day. It’s all about her. Why do you want to talk to me?’’ said the soft-spoken lady with the lovely smile and dancing eyes.

Reminded that Hudson always had credited her mom with giving her the confidence to try out for ‘‘American Idol,’’ thus beginning the young woman’s road to fame and fortune, Mrs. Donerson chuckled quietly. ‘‘Isn’t that what parents should do? To encourage their children? To help them follow dreams? ‘‘That’s all I did.’’

Mrs. Donerson explained that ‘‘Jennifer just always had this wonderful voice and love of singing ... I think it also helped that I loved music and loved to sing. ... Some of my happiest memories of Jennifer growing up are of us singing together. Music just makes you feel good. It helps you get through the tough times, don’t you think?’’

Let’s hope that along with Jennifer Hudson’s deep faith, it will be those memories of singing with her Mom — clearly her biggest booster and best friend — that will help the talented entertainer deal with the unimaginable pain she and her family face now.

PIVEN’S POINT: It was a case of Hollywood meets Broadway Thursday night — both on stage at New York’s Barrymore Theatre, and afterward at the Red Eye Grill cast party for Chicago’s own Jeremy Piven and his co-stars Raul Esparza and Elisabeth Moss, celebrating opening night of the revival of Chicago native David Mamet’s ‘‘Speed the Plow.’’ A slew of of Moss’ ‘‘Mad Men’’ TV co-stars showed, including Jon Hamm, John Slattery, Vincent Kartheiser, Michael Gladis and Brian Batt. Also spied toasting the actors and the play  — which has snared rave reviews — were Liev Schreiber and love Naomi Watts (expecting their second child), Kathleen Turner, Piven’s mom and sister, Joyce and Shiva Piven, Andrew McCarthy, Ian McShane, Stephanie March and ‘‘Supersize Me’’ filmmaker Morgan Spurlock,  no where near any Big Macs!

†I got to watch the Friday night performance and add my kudos as well. This is play, co-produced by Chicago’s own JAM Theatricals team of Steve Traxler and Arny Granat, is Tony Award-worthy all the way. It’s fascinating to see Mamet’s play about greed, ambition and gamesmanship in the world of a 1980s Hollywood movie studio, still resonates with 2008 audiences. However, due to the current McCain-Palin campaign rhetoric, there are big laughs at three points — when the word ‘‘maverick’’ is uttered — which unlikely happened during the original production in 1988.

†Backstage Friday night, Piven was congratulated by the ‘‘Entourage’’ star’s ‘‘TV wife,’’ actress Perrey Reeves (‘‘Mrs. Ari’’). ... When asked about his mom’s thoughts about the play, Jeremy said Joyce Piven ‘‘has seen it five times and given me the best notes [on how to improve his performance] I’ve gotten from anyone!’’

SPECIAL MUSIC: U.S. Rep. Danny Davis, Mayor Daley and Secretary of State Jesse White all are boosting Walt Whitman’s Soul Children of Chicago gospel choir’s ‘‘Youth Alive’’ event at UIC Pavilion beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday.