Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters’ First 100 Years Opens in Cape May This June
Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters’ First 100 Years Opens in Cape May This June
East Lynne Theater Company brings a powerful American story to its new home at The Clemans Theater for the Arts
Cape May’s summer arts season begins with a production that feels especially timely, local and meaningful.
East Lynne Theater Company will present Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters’ First 100 Years from June 18 through July 19, 2026, at The Clemans Theater for the Arts at Allen A.M.E. in Cape May.
The play tells the remarkable true story of sisters Sarah “Sadie” Delany and A. Elizabeth “Bessie” Delany, two pioneering Black women who lived through more than a century of American history and shared their story with humor, memory, honesty and grace.
For Cape May visitors, this is more than an evening at the theater.
It is a chance to experience a nationally known American story inside one of Cape May’s most historically meaningful spaces.
Event Details
Event: Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters’ First 100 Years
Presented by: East Lynne Theater Company
Playwright: Emily Mann
Adapted from: The book by Sarah L. Delany and A. Elizabeth Delany with Amy Hill Hearth
Director: Mark Edward Lang
Dates: June 18 through July 19, 2026
Preview Night: Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Opening Night: Thursday, June 18, 2026
Regular Performance Times: Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m.
Special Performance: July 4 matinee at 2 p.m.
Venue: The Clemans Theater for the Arts at Allen A.M.E.
Address: 717 Franklin Street, Cape May, NJ 08204
Tickets: $40 general admission; $35 seniors; $25 students and military
Preview Night Tickets: $25 general admission
Opening Night Tickets: $45, including afterparty
Best for: Theater lovers, history-minded visitors, couples, adults, older teens, Cape May culture seekers and anyone interested in American history, Black history and professional theater at the shore
What is Having Our Say about?
Having Our Say invites the audience into the home of Sadie and Bessie Delany.
When we meet the sisters, they are 102 and 103 years old. They are preparing tea and looking back on lives that stretched across some of the most defining moments in modern American history.
Their memories move from the Jim Crow South to two World Wars, from the Civil Rights Movement to cultural shifts that reshaped the country.
But the play is not simply a history lesson.
It is personal.
It is warm.
It is often funny.
And it is deeply human.
The Delany sisters tell their story through the details of family, work, education, faith, resilience and memory. They were witnesses to history, but they were also participants in it.
That is what gives the play its staying power.
Why this production matters in Cape May
The Cape May setting gives this production extra weight.
East Lynne Theater Company is presenting the play at The Clemans Theater for the Arts at Allen A.M.E., located at 717 Franklin Street. The theater is inside the former Allen African Methodist Episcopal Church, a historic space that now serves as East Lynne’s performance venue.
That matters because Having Our Say is a story rooted in Black history, American memory and the lived experiences of people who carried personal strength through generations of change.
The building itself adds another layer.
According to East Lynne Theater Company, the cornerstone of the church was laid in 1888, placing the space in the same broad historical era as the Delany sisters. More than a century later, their story is being told in a building shaped by faith, community and history.
For audiences, that connection makes the production feel less distant.
The history is not only on stage.
It is also in the room.
A timely production for Juneteenth, Independence Day and America’s 250th
The timing of this production is another reason it stands out.
The show opens just before Juneteenth and runs through Independence Day, including a special July 4 matinee.
It also arrives as the United States approaches its 250th anniversary in 2026.
That gives the play a strong seasonal and cultural connection. Having Our Say asks audiences to look at American history not as a list of dates, but as something lived through families, communities and personal experience.
For Cape May, the timing is especially fitting. East Lynne notes that 2026 is also a banner year for the city, as Cape May marks 175 years as a city and 50 years as a National Historic Landmark.
This is the kind of production that fits the moment.
It gives visitors and locals a way to reflect, not just be entertained.
What to expect from the theater experience
This is a professional theater production in an intimate Cape May setting.
Audiences should expect a story-driven performance centered on memory, conversation and character. The play’s emotional power comes from the sisters’ voices and the sweep of their lives.
It is thoughtful without feeling stiff.
It is historical without feeling like a classroom lecture.
And it has enough warmth and wit to make the Delany sisters feel present and alive.
For visitors who want a break from beach crowds, boardwalk energy or outdoor summer events, this is a strong evening or matinee option.
It also works well for people who enjoy Cape May’s quieter cultural side: historic buildings, live performance, walking-distance restaurants and a town that rewards slowing down.
Things to do nearby
The Clemans Theater for the Arts is located at 717 Franklin Street, close to several of Cape May’s most interesting cultural and downtown stops.
One nearby pairing is the Harriet Tubman Museum, located at 632 Lafayette Street. The museum shares the story of Harriet Tubman, abolitionist activism and Cape May County’s African American history. For visitors interested in the themes of Having Our Say, this is a natural companion stop.
Washington Street Mall is also nearby and works well before or after a performance. The mall is Cape May’s pedestrian-friendly town square, lined with local shops, restaurants and cafés.
For a simple evening itinerary, plan dinner near Washington Street Mall, walk to the theater, then enjoy the show.
For a Sunday matinee, start with brunch or shopping, see the 2 p.m. performance, then take a slower walk through town afterward.
For a history-focused day, pair the show with the Harriet Tubman Museum or one of Cape May’s historic tours.
Why visitors should consider this during a Cape May trip
Cape May is known for beaches, Victorian architecture, restaurants and bed-and-breakfast charm. But the town’s arts and culture scene is one of the reasons people keep coming back year after year.
A production like Having Our Say gives visitors another way to experience the town.
It is not a beach-day activity.
It is not a boardwalk attraction.
It is the kind of thoughtful cultural experience that makes a Cape May trip feel richer.
For couples, it can anchor a date night.
For families with older teens, it can be a meaningful way to connect with American history.
For locals, it is a chance to support professional theater in a historically significant venue.
And for visitors staying in Cape May County, it is a strong reason to spend an afternoon or evening in Cape May proper.
Local planning tips
Buy tickets in advance, especially for opening night, weekend performances and the July 4 matinee.
Arrive early enough to park and walk to the theater.
Check performance times carefully, since evening shows and Sunday matinees follow different schedules.
Consider pairing the show with dinner near Washington Street Mall.
If you are interested in Black history in Cape May, look into visiting the Harriet Tubman Museum before or after the performance.
For July 4 weekend visitors, plan extra time for traffic, parking and crowds.
