Pearl Cleage’s “Blues for an Alabama Sky” is being given a stunning outing at Moxie Theatre through Oct. 26th. With careful direction by Desireé Clarke Miller, a beautifully detailed set by Michael Wogulis, Danita Lees perfect period costumes, Colby Freel’s magical lighting, Nataly Cenicers sound and one of the most balanced ensembles assembled on any stage by far. This slice of Harlem Renaissance life is as current today as it was in the 1930’s what with drug addiction, poverty, sexual harassment, The Great Depression, political divides and violence.
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| Xavier Daniels, Janine Taylor |
Cleage’s play takes place in 1930’ Harlem. It brings to life four friends and an outsider whose dreams, emotions and politics are on a collision course. While examining feminist, gay, conservative and social issues, the story weaves real live heroes of that era into the lives of the fictional ones.
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| Deja Fields as Angel Allen |
Angel(Deja Fields) is a down on her luck blues singer; a hard luck story awaiting a happy ending, Guy (Kevane La’Marre Coleman) , a costume designer, is an optimist. He talks about Josephine Baker who is going to commission him to design her clothes, and promises him a trip to Paris. His open gayness is completely acceptable to his friends. Rounding out the foursome is Sam (Xavier Daniels) a Dr. who doesn't get enough sleep and Delia (Janine Taylor) is a woman suffragette. Delia lives across the hall from Angel and Guy (best friends) and she is hell bent on opening a clinic for women. She follows the teachings of Margaret Sanger.
When a tall handsome stranger, Leland Cunningham ( Carter Piggee), from Alabama comes into the lives of the four friends, everything gets turned up -side down.
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| Kevane La'Marre Coleman and Carter Piggee (in the shadow) |
Deja Fields is compelling as Angel the down on her luck blues singer who shares an apartment with Guy, who in his own way takes care of her. As the central character, Deja’s every move is under scrutiny and she plays it to the hilt.
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| Carter Piggee, Deja Fields, Kevane La'Marr Coleman (center) Janine Taylor and Xavier Daniels |
Kevane Le’Marre Colman’s Guy is perfect as the gay, brutally honest and clever neighbor who has all the best lines in the play and play them he does.
Janine Taylor is the beautiful and soft, across the hall neighbor Delia who finds her soulmate in the kind hearted and level headed Dr. Sam (Xavier Daniels) who is forced to make an unpopular decision on behalf of Angel.
Carter Piggee is Leland Cunningham, the tall, handsome and charming mannered widower and stranger from Alabama whose views are repugnant, old school and offensive to the friends he is trying to win over.
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| Deja Fields and Kenane La'Marr Coleman |
In the 930’s the world was in flux, on the verge of a depression while four friends tried to struggle through them in their own inimitable way, much like the chaotic world we live in today.
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| Cast |
Pearl Cleage found the right formula for the right time and Moxie Theatre’s excellent production,which is powerful and thought provoking, is right on time.
Enjoy.
See you at the theatre.
When: Runs through Oct. 26. 7 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays
Where: Moxie Theatre, 6663 El Cajon Blvd., Suite N, Rolando
Tickets: $20-$59
Photo: Jason Sullivan
Phone: 858-598-7620
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