Sweet Mama Stringbean: The Life & Times of Ethel Waters-Durham

Sat, 20 Jun, 2026 at 04:00 pm to Sun, 21 Jun, 2026 at 05:00 pm UTC-04:00

North Carolina Central University | Durham

Agape Theatre Project
Publisher/HostAgape Theatre Project
Sweet Mama Stringbean: The Life & Times of Ethel Waters-Durham
Advertisement
Dive into the unforgettable story of Ethel Waters and her rise to fame in this lively, in-person experience.
About this Event

“Sweet Mama Stringbean” written by Val Limar, is a one-woman musical celebration of Blues woman, Ethel Waters portrayed by Phyllis Morrison.

Waters was a 'Super Star' during the depression-era. As a Broadway star and an Academy Award nominee, she could 'shake her thang' and make audiences shake with pleasure. Share her musical story in this play that received a commendation from the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.

Join us for this unforgettable musical theatre experience with familiar and passionate songs of the jazz age highlighted in this musical. This is a dramatic story of Ethel Waters' rise to fame. Born in poverty, Ethel was one of the greatest artists of her generation. She was the first Black woman to sing on the radio, the first to headline a show at New York's Palace Theatre and the first to star in a dramatic play on Broadway. In her later years, Waters was nominated for two Academy Awards, before traveling as a soloist, with the Billy Graham Crusade.

This is a musical theatre experience, with fourteen of Ethel Waters’ signature songs, including Stormy Weather, St. Louis Blues; My Handy Man; My Handy Man Ain't Handy No More; Shake That Thing; Am I Blue and ending with the Gospel classic, His Eye is on the Sparrow.


Advertisement

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

North Carolina Central University, 1801 Fayetteville Street, Durham, United States

Tickets

USD 24.00

Icon
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

Ask AI if this event suits you:

More Events in Durham

Dance Boot Camp
Sat, 20 Jun at 01:00 pm Dance Boot Camp

3823 Guess Rd, Durham, NC, United States, North Carolina 27705

Mad Streetwear Market
Sat, 20 Jun at 01:00 pm Mad Streetwear Market

Durham Convention Center

Durham Refugee Day Film Screening at Russell Memorial CME Church
Sat, 20 Jun at 01:30 pm Durham Refugee Day Film Screening at Russell Memorial CME Church

703 S Alston Ave

NCAAU's 2nd Annual Summer BBQ Potluck (100% vegan \ud83c\udf31)
Sat, 20 Jun at 03:00 pm NCAAU's 2nd Annual Summer BBQ Potluck (100% vegan 🌱)

4704 Fayetteville Rd, Durham, NC 27713-8900, United States

Sanrio Y2K Collective Market
Sat, 20 Jun at 03:00 pm Sanrio Y2K Collective Market

Boxyard RTP

Mixed Level Stained Glass: Pride Flags
Sat, 20 Jun at 03:00 pm Mixed Level Stained Glass: Pride Flags

Fusion Gallery & Classes

Ensign 1999, The Matildas, Dipper Grande at Rubies on Five Points
Sat, 20 Jun at 06:30 pm Ensign 1999, The Matildas, Dipper Grande at Rubies on Five Points

Rubies on Five Points

(SOLD_OUT) The Sistering!
Sat, 20 Jun at 07:00 pm (SOLD_OUT) The Sistering!

4608 Industry Ln, Ste L, Durham, NC, United States, North Carolina 27713

The Crones of Anarchy--Blues, Rock, Americana
Sat, 20 Jun at 07:00 pm The Crones of Anarchy--Blues, Rock, Americana

3219 Old Chapel Hill Rd, Durham, NC, United States, North Carolina 27707

Pride Drag Show
Sat, 20 Jun at 07:00 pm Pride Drag Show

The Glass Jug Beer Lab - Downtown Durham

8-Track Minds at The Blue Note Grill!
Sat, 20 Jun 8-Track Minds at The Blue Note Grill!

The Blue Note Grill

Jill Scott - To Whom This May Concern Tour
Sat, 20 Jun at 08:00 pm Jill Scott - To Whom This May Concern Tour

DPAC

Durham is Happening!

Never miss your favorite happenings again!

Explore Durham Events