BLUES FOR AN ALABAMA SKY
Seattle Rep presents BLUES FOR AN ALABAMA SKY by Pearl Cleage from January 30 to February 23, 2025. Librarians at Seattle Public Library created this list of books, films and music to enhance your experience of the show.
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Bessie
Bessie Smith (played by Queen Latifah in this 2015 biopic) was a prominent jazz and blues vocalist known as the "Empress of Blues." She overcame many obstacles and become one of the most celebrated voices to come out of the Harlem Renaissance.
Format: DVD
Availability: All copies in use
View Bessie -
The Rough Guide to Blues Divas
Listen to the magical sounds of Black women blues vocalists of the 1920s including Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith.
Format: Music CD
Availability: Available
View The Rough Guide to Blues Divas -
Seattle Rep's BLUES FOR AN ALABAMA SKY webpage
In 1930s New York, the hopes of the Harlem Renaissance have been tempered by the realities of the Great Depression. Best friends and artists Angel and Guy dream of a glamorous future but can barely eke out a living in the jazz clubs, while their neighbor Delia and local doctor Sam deal with bombs and break-ins as they try to bring a family planning clinic to the neighborhood. When Angel catches the eye of a handsome newcomer, their clashing values set off a chain of events that will change everyone’s lives. Lyrical and deeply moving, Pearl Cleage’s classic drama will immerse you in the joy, sorrow, and resilience of a society on the brink of change.
View Seattle Rep's BLUES FOR AN ALABAMA SKY webpage