Blues for an Alabama Sky
It's 1930 in Harlem. The time of the Harlem Renaissance when African American music, dance, art, fashion, literature, theater, and politics were at their highs, and the decade of affluence in the times of the roaring '20s, also known as the "Jazz Age," of jazz bands, bathtub gin, and bootleggers, gave way to a less triumphant period in the '30s called the Great Depression — where unemployment at all-time high and with people losing everything they had, finding work was like finding a needle in a haystack. Written by Pearl Cleage, Blues for an Alabama Sky allows us a peek into the lives of jazz singer Angel and fashion designer Guy, who is waiting to hear back from the renowned French dancer, singer, and actress Josephine Baker about his flamboyant, glamorous gowns, an African-American doctor named Sam, Delia, an advocate focused on opening an educational center within the community providing safe and affordable healthcare, and family planning, and Leland, a charismatic Christian man with a carpentry trade, traveling from Alabama, who instantaneously falls in love with Angel, whose face reminds him of his first wife.
Angel lost her job after a heated exchange with her gangster boyfriend, boss, and lover. Inebriated, she is carried by Guy to his apartment, accompanied by a kind gentleman named Leland. Delia lives in the adjacent flat and comes to see if she can help.
““You’re a genius with a dream, and I’m just a colored girl out of a job!””
The "Let the good times roll" Sam practice and his nightlife keeps him up all day, but he's swooning over Delia and comes to her aid with the center. Leland gets up the nerves to visit Angel, and their relationship deepens, making Guy concerned because he knows she will only hurt Leland or get hurt. Guy is gay but loves Angel and has always taken care of her — and wants her to come with him when he receives a letter from Baker to go to Paris. Everything is copastatic, but when they all meet, things get twisted, a precious life is lost, and two men, walking different paths, inconspicuously meet down the road of no return.
Playing at Theater Wit, Remy Bumppo Theatre Company brings this electrifyingly invigorating look into these characters' lives as they pursue their dreams during one of the worst historical decades in America. Director Mikael Burke vividly brings to life this edgy production about the frays of struggles, abortion, sexuality, and the dreams of making it big against the turbulent backdrop of friendships and foes; this production will have you on the edge of your seat in anticipation.
With a cast of five, starting Tiffany Renee Johnson as Angel and Breon Arzell as Guy, Blues for an Alabama Sky is phenomenal. A Howard University graduate, Johnson performed in a plethora of productions in Chicago, including Chlorine Sky (Steppenwolf Theatre); The Garbologists (Northlight Theatre); Passage (Remy Bumppo Theatre); School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play (Goodman Theatre), Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (Writers Theatre) and another play written by Pearl Cleage, Flyin' West at American Blues Theater. Cleage has another play, The Nacirema Society, this upcoming week at Goodman Theatre, directed by the highly talented Lili-Anne Brown.
Johnson's star shined and captured the heartbroken character of Angel, who struggles with the fear of losing everything, including her sanity and morality. Breon Arzell is amazing as Guy and has become a must-see actor as he consistently captures the persona's characteristics. Edgar Miguel Sanchez played the exceptional role of the town's only black doctor, Sam, and making their Remy Bumppo debut is Chicago native actor, director, producer, and freelance graphic arts designer Jazzlyn Luckett Aderele and Ajax Dontavius, who we recently saw at Timeline Theater production of Fences as Cory. I love his Proverbs 3:5 (Trust in the Lord) listed on Remy Bumpro Theatre's list of actors.
In the end, Guy gets the call from Josephine Baker to come to Paris and asks Angel to come; however, she's pregnant. Trying to get away from the colored ghost who won't shut up and allow her to live her life, Angel, who reluctantly accepted Leland's marriage proposal to secure her dreams of having a man care for her, terminates her pregnancy and chooses Guy and with one gunshot, their lives change forever.
Running approximately 2 hours 45 minutes (with intermission), Blues for an Alabama Sky premiered in 1995 at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia, and its central message of pursuing your dreams over deterrence and doubt remains an optimistic pathway to living a happy life.
4 Stars ****
Remy Bumppo Theatre Company
Blues for An Alabama Sky
By Pearl Cleage
Directed by Mikael Burke
September 14 - October 15, 2023
