Blues for an Alabama Sky

[mrdreamjeans]

Where: The Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis

When: Thursday, February 2, 2023
What: Blues for an Alabama Sky

Photo from The Star Tribune.

Set during the Harlem Renaissance of 1930, “Blues for an Alabama Sky” is a powerful character drama written by Atlanta-based playright Pearl Cleage and ably directed by Nicole A. Watson.

Due to an unfortunate set of choices, Angel, a back-up singer in the Cotton Club, must move in with her gay friend Guy, an aspiring costume designer who dreams of dressing Josephine Baker in Paris. Across the hall lives their friend Delia, an idealistic social worker who falls in love with Sam, a kind and overworked doctor. This quartet’s bonds are tested and ultimately broken by the introduction into their lives of Leland, a young man from Alabama who holds very different opinions and views from the others.

On one hand a period piece, on the other hand a very contemporary work, Blues for an Alabama Sky's themes are compelling and timeless. For me, the play asks us to consider: What is the shelf life of a dream? When do we let go of a dream, perhaps settle for something safer and mundane? No one struggles in a vacuum; our choices can have a trickling affect, resulting in unintended consequences for us and for those we love. This cast features five equally compelling actors creating characters we care about even when some of those characters behave badly. I mention the cast’s names in a singular parargraph, as an ensemble is what is truly needed to make this play soar, also because all five performances are richly deserving of accolades. 

 Kudos to Kimberly Marable as Angel Allen, Lamar Jefferson as Guy Jacobs, Brittany Bellizeare as Delia Patterson, Stephen Conrad Moore as Sam Thomas and to Kevis Willocks on as Leland Cunningham. (I’m not sure of the situation at Thursday's performance. Willocks was on for Darius Jordan Lee, but both showed up in costume for the bows. Odd ... an understudy making his debut?

 At times comedic, at times tragic, “ Blues” is at all times provocative and entertaining. The Guthrie’s set, costume, lighting and sound designers once again skillfully work their magic.  A special shout-out to those technicians in the shops who built the fine costumes and sets. Well done! Thanks for taking me to Harlem in 1930. I highly recommend seeing “Blues for an Alabama Sky”, playing now through March 12th on the Wurtele Thrust Stage. Thanks to my friend Jon Hayenga for the ticket and for being such great company on a bitterly cold Winter night!

Comments

[kaishin108]

That sounds like a great time! :)

[mrdreamjeans]

TWAS!

[kaishin108]

I forgot to say, I love the title!

[mrdreamjeans]

It's a very lyrical title for sure. Though I knew nothing of the subject matter, it really intrigued me because of the title.

[apparentparadox]

You know it's a well written story when you care about the people who are behaving badly. I saw "Blues" back in 1997, but I don't remember anything about it. Now I wish that I could remember it!

[mrdreamjeans]

Exactly! With subjects like homophobia in the Black community, abortion and fertility planning services, it was topical. Angel is hard to like, but the actress portraying her was very likable.

[disneydream06]

Call me weird, but they kept talking about getting away from all the bad stuff and heading to Paris, and all I could think about was very soon Paris would be in the middle of a world war. :o
Hugs, Jon

[mrdreamjeans]

Not for another 8 or 9 years. The play is set in 1930 which makes the Great Depression more of a factor.

[disneydream06]

Oh, I thought it was a little later in the 30s then that.

[mrdreamjeans]

I got the date from the background story in the Star Tribune. :)

[disneydream06]

Ahh.....