Return to Announcements & Latest News

New play spans the turbulent life of one of the 20th century’s greatest performers, April 11 – May 2, 2010

Greensboro, NC) — Triad Stage presents one of the hottest new plays in the American Theatre – Ethel Waters: His Eye Is on the Sparrow – a one-woman biography by Larry Parr and directed by Donna Baldwin-Bradby. The song will set you free. From the hopeless slums of Philadelphia to the heights of fame, from anger towards almost everyone to a love for all mankind, Ethel Waters lived it all. Now her life takes center stage. From a childhood as a thief and unwilling bride, she became a Vaudeville success, a recording sensation and a Broadway and Hollywood star. Then a reputation for being difficult and her own distrust made her a recluse until she found a purpose beyond herself as a performer with the Billy Graham Crusades. Through it all, there were the songs, the ones that gave her strength and the ones that made her a legend. This is her incredible story, filled with the greatest hits of a lifetime, including “Stormy Weather” and “Am I Blue?” The production contains adult language and themes. Ethel Waters: His Eye Is on the Sparrow runs April 11 through May 2, 2010. Opening Night is Friday, April 16. The production is sponsored by the American Express Corporation and is presented as part of ArtBeat Greensboro.

Ethel Waters: His Eye Is on the Sparrow was commissioned by Florida Studio Theatre in Sarasota as part of its New Play Development Program and premiered in 2005. It is the third in a trilogy of one-person shows playwright Larry Parr has written about influential African-American women in show business that began with “Hi-Hat Hattie,” (1991) about Hattie McDaniel, and continued with “My Castle’s Rockin’,” (1996) about singer Alberta Hunter. Parr first discovered Waters when he was given a copy of her biography by a friend in high school. “I loved Ethel Waters when I was a kid. It seemed to me she would be my ideal mother or grandmother. As I learned more about her, I was astounded that someone who came from such an awful beginning, and who grew up in such a horrible situation, with no one to love her, could rise to such magnificent stardom and become such a strong symbol of faith. How did this happen? Well, that’s a story I wanted to tell.” Parr wanted to do more than highlight Waters’ early struggles and ultimate successes. “I thought it was extremely important to tell the story of a woman who had every right on earth to be a racist, yet who overcame that racism with a strong sense of will and faith. To me, that story gives hope to the rest of humanity.”

Ethel Waters: His Eye Is on the Sparrow finds Waters in a later, happier period of her career, singing with the Billy Graham Crusades. She recounts the trials and accomplishments in her life while singing many of the hits for which she is so well known. “One goal I set for myself in writing [the play] was to use the wonderful music associated with Ethel Waters in a way that would help illustrate her compelling story,” says Parr.

(Video of Ethel Waters at the Billy Graham Cursade in Jackson, Mississippi on Mother's Day 1975 singing " His Eye Is On The Sparrow")

Donna Baldwin-Bradby directs Triad Stage’s production. Cassandra Lowe Williams takes on the role of Ethel Waters herself. George A. Pass, II serves as the production’s music director while sharing the stage with Williams as Water’s piano player.

The creative team includes: scenic designer Fred Kinney, costume designer Kelsey Hunt, lighting designer Joshua Reaves and sound designer Janie Bullard. The dramaturg is Drew Barker. Cindi Rush is the casting director and the stage manager is Eric Tysinger.

Biographies for the cast and creative team, and more information on the production can be found online at www.triadstage.org.

Performance and special event information

Tickets for Preview performances of Ethel Waters: His Eye Is on the Sparrow, on April 11, 13, 14 and 15 are all $16 each. From Opening Night, April 16, single ticket prices range from $10 to $42. Prices vary depending on the day of the week and seat location desired.

All performances are at Triad Stage at The Pyrle Theater, located at 232 South Elm Street in downtown Greensboro, North Carolina (between Market and Washington Streets).

Discount rates are available for groups of 10 or more. Group tickets can be purchased by calling Sherry Barr, Director of Audience Services at 336.274.0067 ext. 221 or emailing groupsales@triadstage.org.

Show times for Ethel Waters: His Eye Is on the Sparrow are 7:30 pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday evenings and 8:00 pm on Friday and Saturday evenings. Sunday matinees are at 2:00 pm. There are no matinee performances during previews. Pay-What-You-Can performances are Sunday, April 18, and Tuesday, April 20, at 7:30 pm. Wine Tasting Friday is April 23, prior to the evening’s 8:00 pm performance. A Sign-Interpreted performance is on Tuesday, April 27, at 7:30 pm, with services provided by the Greensboro Communication Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

Technically Talking, a behind-the-scenes discussion with members of the design team is Tuesday, April 13, immediately following the 7:30 pm preview performance. The InSight Series, the free humanities program that brings a noted speaker to the Triad to discuss the world of the play and its subject matter, will be held on Sunday, April 18, immediately following the 2:00 pm matinee performance. PostScript, a lively, open discussion with members of the cast, will be held on Thursday, April 22, immediately following the 7:30 pm performance.

About Triad Stage

Triad Stage is a professional not-for-profit regional theater company based in Greensboro’s downtown historic district. All Triad Stage productions are created in Greensboro using the best of local and national talent. Triad Stage gratefully acknowledges the support of its Season Sponsors: Mitre Agency, the North Carolina Arts Council and the United Arts Council of Greater Greensboro. The starring sponsor for Ethel Waters: His Eye Is on the Sparrow is the American Express Corporation.

Triad Stage’s 2009-2010 Season – “A Season Together” – concludes with the world premiere of Providence Gap, an Appalachian saga by Preston Lane, with original music by Laurelyn Dossett (June 6 – July 4, 2010). Single tickets are on sale now. Season Passes for the 2010-2011 Season go on sale March 29.

All Triad Stage productions feature the bold acting and breathtaking design that have been nationally recognized by The Wall Street Journal and have earned the theater accolades including “One of the Best Regional Theatres in America”, New York’s Drama League; “Best Live Theater”, Go Triad/News & Record and The Rhinoceros Times; and “Professional Theater of the Year”, North Carolina Theatre Conference.

To purchase tickets or for performance information on Ethel Waters: His Eye Is on the Sparrow, call the Triad Stage Box Office at 336.272.0160 or toll-free at 866.579.TIXX (8499), or visit www.triadstage.org.

###