• Advertise
  • Donate
  • Subscribe
    • Become a print subscriber
    • Sign up for e-Newsletter
    • e-Editions
Wednesday, September 27, 2023
No Result
View All Result
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
  • News & Features
    • National
    • Local
    • Special Editions
      • MLK Legacy
      • Black History Month
      • The MSR Celebrates Women’s History Month
  • All Sections
    • Opinion
      • Mellaneous by Mel Reeves
      • Word on the Street
      • Reaching Out From Within
    • Health + Wellness
      • Women’s Wellness
      • Parenting Today
      • Minnesota Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Sports
      • Timberwolves/NBA
      • Lynx/WNBA
        • 20 in 20
      • Twins/MLB
      • MN Wild/NHL
      • Vikings/NFL
    • Business
      • Small Business Month Celebration
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
    • Arts + Culture
    • Photo Galleries
      • Photo of the Week
    • MSR Forefront Digital Roundtable Series
      • MSR Forefront Highlights
    • Go Green
    • Education
    • Bulletin
    • Jobs & Notices
      • Legals
      • Announcements
  • Events
    • Submit an event!
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • e-Editions
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
  • News & Features
    • National
    • Local
    • Special Editions
      • MLK Legacy
      • Black History Month
      • The MSR Celebrates Women’s History Month
  • All Sections
    • Opinion
      • Mellaneous by Mel Reeves
      • Word on the Street
      • Reaching Out From Within
    • Health + Wellness
      • Women’s Wellness
      • Parenting Today
      • Minnesota Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Sports
      • Timberwolves/NBA
      • Lynx/WNBA
        • 20 in 20
      • Twins/MLB
      • MN Wild/NHL
      • Vikings/NFL
    • Business
      • Small Business Month Celebration
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
    • Arts + Culture
    • Photo Galleries
      • Photo of the Week
    • MSR Forefront Digital Roundtable Series
      • MSR Forefront Highlights
    • Go Green
    • Education
    • Bulletin
    • Jobs & Notices
      • Legals
      • Announcements
  • Events
    • Submit an event!
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • e-Editions
No Result
View All Result
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
No Result
View All Result

Review: ‘Blues for an Alabama Sky’

by Farah Habad
March 2, 2023
34
SHARES
681
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on LinkedIn
  • (-r) Darius Jordan Lee, Kimberly Marable, Brittany Bellizeare, Stephen Conrad Moore and Lamar Jefferson
  • (l-r) Darius Jordan Lee and Kimberly Marable / Photos by Dan Norman

“He’s not a gangster!” a drunken Angel exclaims to her best friend and roommate Guy. “He’s a businessman and he didn’t dump me. He got married!” 

In Pearl Cleage’s “Blues for an Alabama Sky,” Angel, a multi-talented stage performer, and Guy, a costume-maker who dreams of one day living in Paris and creating gorgeous gowns for Josephine Baker, make an unlikely and eccentric pair. 

Set in the waning days of the Harlem Renaissance, the two live together in a small apartment in New York City–far from the Alabama sky. Directed by Nicole A. Watson, “Blues for an Alabama Sky” is currently playing at the Guthrie, closing on March 12. 

Across the way from Angel and Guy is Delia, a gentle-yet-fierce character, who works to provide safe and accessible birth control options for the women in her community–with the help of Sam, who sees Delia’s work as wholly intrinsic to his role as a doctor. 

Their bond serves as a wonderful “will they, won’t they” subplot throughout the first act, which is apparent as both performers share natural, on-stage chemistry. 

- ADVERTISEMENT -

Outside, the world is changing. No more are the days of a bustling, Black cultural revival that marked much of the Harlem Renaissance era. The pain of the Great Depression hit Black artists especially hard, and where the arts had been a viable means of self-expression and determination, in “Blues for an Alabama Sky,” most of the artists are just barely hanging on. 

Guy’s dreams of making costumes and dresses for Josephine Baker feel almost like a life vest, that thing that he holds onto to save the only thing that ever brought him joy.

Angel finds herself alone after a breakup with an abusive boyfriend only to find herself now involved with a new man, Leland, a possessive yet grieving suitor visiting Harlem from Alabama, who doesn’t see her, but rather sees the reflection of his late wife. 

From the moment the curtain is drawn, and she takes the stage, Kimbery Marable absolutely steals the show in her portrayal of Angel. Even without a microphone, Marable is able to utilize the acoustics of the room to almost turn volume into scenery–when Angel wails, she wails. When Angel is silent, you could hear a pin drop. 

Stephen Conrad Moore delivers a masterclass in his performance of the gentle doctor Sam Thomas. His character possesses the complexities that make this play unique and his portrayal of Sam–somewhat ironically–serves as a welcome respite from the heavy themes of the play. 

- ADVERTISEMENT -

The most impressive performance comes from Kevis Hillocks, in his character, Guy. His ability to hit each and every emotional note is alone worth seeing the production. 

In “Blues for an Alabama Sky,” the playwright paints a portrait of humanity that will seem familiar, despite not having lived during the Harlem Renaissance, or knowing Leland, Guy, Sam, Angel or Delia. 

Cleage, who is a novelist, poet, and political activist, doesn’t rely on many bells or whistles to make this production come to life—the richness of the relationships is enough to leave the audience feeling satisfied. 

“Blues for an Alabama Sky” is currently running until March 12 at the Wurtele Thrust Stage in the Guthrie Theater, 818 South 2nd Street, Minneapolis. Visit guthrietheater.org for show times.

Farah Habad welcomes reader comments to farhabad@gmail.com.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

Support Black local news

Help amplify Black voices by donating to the MSR. Your contribution enables critical coverage of issues affecting the community and empowers authentic storytelling.

Donate Now!

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...
ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

Roosevelt wins Twin Cities championship

Next Post

Community group protests over-policing at East Lake Library

Farah Habad

You Might Also Like

Local fashion designer evolves from doll clothes to dreamy couture
Arts & Culture

REVIEW: Guthrie’s ‘Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner’ a dud

Next Post
Community group protests over-policing at East Lake Library

Community group protests over-policing at East Lake Library

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
ADVERTISEMENT

Upcoming Events

Sep 12
September 12 @ 6:30 pm-December 18 @ 9:30 pm Recurring

Vic Volare Presents MUSIC FOR MARTINIS ft: Vic’s Fabulous Nightclub Academy

Sep 27
7:30 pm-9:30 pm Recurring

Ayodele Casel Rooted

Sep 30
9:00 am-1:00 pm Recurring

Cars and Caves

Sep 30
10:00 am-12:00 pm

dem Blessings for Parents: A Morning of Creative Nourishment with Sharon Bridgforth

View Calendar
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Read our latest e-Edition!

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Subscribe

  • Home/Office Delivery
  • Weekly e-newsletter
  • e-Editions

Support

  • Donate
  • Subscribe
  • MSR Newsstand Locations

Connect

  • About
    • MSR Staff
  • Contact
  • Send a news tip
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms

© 2023 Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

No Result
View All Result
  • News & Features
    • Local
    • National
  • All Sections
    • Arts & Culture
    • Health & Wellness
      • Women’s Wellness
      • Parenting Today
      • MN Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Business
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
      • Small Business Month Celebration
    • Opinion
    • Sports
  • Events
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • Donate
  • Subscribe

© 2023 Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

%d bloggers like this: