Director

Grande dames Grace Dunbar and Catherine Green prepare for the Nacirema Society’s 1964 centennial cotillion — the event of the season in Montgomery, Alabama. The elegant African American debutantes include Grace’s granddaughter Gracie, escorted by Catherine’s grandson Bobby, and the two grandmothers hope the young couple will soon be engaged. But Gracie and Bobby have other ideas. As the young ladies prepare for their debuts, a blackmail scheme brews behind the scenes and subterfuges unfold, all under the nose of a skeptical reporter covering the ball. Featuring clever storytelling and scandalous plots, this lighthearted comedy winds its way to an ending as charming as its characters.

EPSG:4326

The Nacirema Society Requests the Honor of Your Presence at a Celebration of Their First One Hundred Years

Guthrie Theater

Seattle Rep is proud to present "Blues for an Alabama Sky," a classic drama set in the heart of 1930s New York during the aftermath of the Harlem Renaissance and amidst the harsh realities of the Great Depression. This deeply moving play, written by Pearl Cleage and directed by Valerie Curtis-Newton, will be showcased at the Bagley Wright Theater from January 30 to February 23, 2025.

The story revolves around best friends and artists Angel and Guy, who, despite their dreams of a glamorous future, struggle to make ends meet in the jazz clubs of the era. Their lives intertwine with their neighbor Delia and local doctor Sam, who face their own challenges as they endeavor to bring a family planning clinic to their neighborhood. The arrival of a handsome stranger and the ensuing clash of values trigger a series of events that promise to alter the course of their lives forever.

"Blues for an Alabama Sky" is a lyrical testament to the joy, sorrow, and resilience of a society on the brink of change. It's an age-recommended performance for viewers 7 and older, making it a perfect cultural outing for school-aged children capable of enjoying a 90-minute show without an intermission. Attendees should be aware of the use of theatrical haze and two brief moments of flashing lights during the performance.

Important dates to note for this event include preview performances from January 30 to February 4, with the official opening night on February 5. Special performances include a mask-required showing on February 9, a student matinee on February 20 at 11 a.m., an open captioned performance on February 13 at 7:30 p.m., Teen Night on February 14, and ASL & Audio Described showing on February 22.

Don't miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in a pivotal moment in history through the lens of compelling characters and a story that resonates with today's times. Join us at Seattle Rep for a performance that promises to be both enlightening and unforgettable.

Blues for an Alabama Sky

Seattle Rep

Abasiama and her husband Ukpong are Nigerian immigrants studying and living in Texas in the 1970s. Ukpong is exhilarated by the promises of America, but Abasiama is homesick and frustrated by Ukpong’s frequent absences. As Abasiama struggles with the physical pain of her pregnancy, the demands of work and schooling, the isolation of being away from her family, and the uncertainty of her future, an unexpected community inspires her to forge her own path. The first play in Mfoniso Udofia’s epic nine-part Ufot Cycle depicting the Nigerian-American experience, Sojourners is a “moving and powerful” (The New York Times) testament to the complexity of the American dream. 

Director

Valerie Curtis-Newton

Events

Past events

Apr 19 - May 25, 2025

The Nacirema Society Requests the Honor of Your Presence at a Celebration of Their First One Hundred Years · Guthrie Theater

Jan 30 - Feb 23, 2025

Blues for an Alabama Sky · Seattle Rep

About

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