Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Pearl Cleage’s vibrant BLUES FOR AN ALABAMA SKY receives a rock-solid production via Keen Company

• By drediman
• February 21, 2020
• No Comments

John-Andrew Morrison, Alfie Fuller, and Sheldon Woodley in Keen Company’s production of “Blues for an Alabama Sky” by Pearl Cleage at Theatre Row. Photo by Carol Rosegg.

Last night, Pearl Cleage’s Blues for an Alabama Sky opened at Theatre Row, courtesy of Keen Company. The production marks the play’s long-awaited New York debut, after having premiered at Atlanta’s Alliance Theatre in 1995 and subsequently playing regional theaters across the country. Set Harlem during the Depression, Ms. Cleage’s play tells of the struggles and joys of a progressive, aspirational group of friends and the conservative southern interloper who stirs the pot.

It’s rare to run across a play as meaty as this one these days, especially one with such sturdy bones. Ms. Cleage writes in a traditional bygone style that calls to mind Lanford Wilson and Tennessee Williams. Particularly, Blues for an Alabama Sky richly evokes the pungent longing of a Williams play and the complex character shadings of Mr. Wilson’s works. The playwright has conjured an endearing set of characters, each with fully realized personas and convincing histories. It was a great pleasure to spend time with her lovingly-crafted creations, warts and all. Ms. Cleage also cleverly weaves in mention of influential historical figures of the time (e.g., at one point, the hard-drinking friends attend a party thrown by Langston Hughes; one of them has overseas correspondences with Josephine Baker; etc.), which contributes to the vibrancy of the play’s Prohibition-era world.

Luckily, Keen Company’s production is rock-solid. As directed by LA Williams, Blues for an Alabama Sky unfolds with a steady force that confidently draws the audience into the play. Additionally, the cast is excellent from top-to-bottom. It would have been the easy choice to caricaturize the roles (and the era), but their beautifully balanced and grounded performances do their characters and the playwright proud. Doing particularly fine work is John-Andrew Morrison as a loving and lovable gay costume designer, Alfie Fuller as the seductive but volatile cabaret singer, and Sheldon Woodley as a respected night-clubbing doctor.

RECOMMENDED

BLUES FOR AN ALABAMA SKY
Off-Broadway, Play
Keen Company / Theatre Row
2 hours, 30 minutes (with one intermission)
Through March 14