Those looking for true likeness to the peerless Ethel Waters will find scant resemblance in either Sandra Reaves-Phillips or her daughter Marishka Shanice Phillips, who, respectively, play the older and younger Waters. Beneath a conventional bio-musical structure, however, Beth Turner's Sweet Mama Stringbean is an intriguing look at the legendary performer's lifelong struggle between showbiz and religion, which was exacerbated by the contempt of a Bible-toting mother who disdained Ethel as the unhappy byproduct of rape at age 11.
Beginning in 1957, an elderly Ethel Waters — overweight, ill, and broke — nods off in her armchair. In flashback, her younger self rises from dinky dives to posh white supper clubs, then Broadway and Hollywood, until she is sabotaged by her alleged cantankerousness. Eventually she finds fulfillment with evangelist Billy Graham.
Reaves-Phillips, whose persona is reminiscent of Mahalia Jackson, at least makes an attempt to emulate Waters' distinctive phrasing and warmly expressive smile, giving a wonderfully passionate performance. But Phillips, a solid singer and actor, doesn't even try to replicate young Ethel's earthy persona or familiar mannerisms. Purists may also object to the skewed song chronology: "Am I Blue," "Birmingham Bertha," and "Come Up and See Me Sometime" come way too early.
Cjay Hardy Philip is simply sensational playing Ethel's God-fearing mother and a number of other characters, while Darryl Jovan Williams and Gary E. Vincent are impressive in numerous male roles. Director Elizabeth Van Dyke stages the action resourcefully, often spreading her cast around the auditorium to good dramatic effect.
In one brilliantly staged scene, Ethel visits her catatonic mother in a mental ward while the cast adds stirring undercurrent with "Just a Closer Walk With Thee." And Reaves-Phillips belting out "His Eye Is on the Sparrow" makes a knockout finish. If only everything preceding these scenes were on that level, the play would be as artistically outstanding as it is already mightily entertaining.
Presented by Woody King Jr.'s New Federal Theatre at Abrons Arts Center/Recital Hall, 466 Grand St., NYC. April 9-27. Wed.-Fri., 7:30 p.m.; Sat., 3 and 8 p.m.; Sun., 3 p.m. (212) 279-4200 or www.ticketcentral.org. Casting by Lawrence Evans.