Blues for an Alabama Sky Reviews

Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended

"...Directed by J. Israel Greene for Greenetree Productions, this is a solid rendition of Cleage's play--an illuminating study in social history that also resonates in our own atmosphere of economic hard times and fierce cultural conflict."

Windy City Times - Highly Recommended

"...Spread out over two hours, this material risks emerging as lugubrious as its operatic prototype, but under J. Israel Greene's direction, the cast for this Greenetree production engages our emotions immediately, sustaining their focus and energy to keep our attention riveted to the last instant. Kelly Owens as the weary Angel and Jaren Kyei Merrell as the defiant Guy occupy the forestage, but Akilah Terry as the wholesome Delia and Lee Owens as Doctor Sam—the big man whose big heart will be his undoing—create likewise vivid characters, as does Jason Andre Smith in the role of the unwitting catalyst to their destruction. Don't forget the aforementioned stage decor, Sarah Haley's costumes and Adam Smith's pinpoint-accurate incidental music, all contributing to an auspicious debut deserving a longer run than its present plans permit."

Centerstage - Recommended

"...By the end of the second act, when Angel settles for Alabama native Leland (Jason Smith), her character and the tone of the play is set: her own selfishness will be her downfall. In the second act, when Angel betrays Leland within seconds in order to get her way, she represents countless misfortunes of the modern era. The main theme of "Blues" is negativity, brought on by economic and racial issues. Angel succumbs to it, and thus carries the entire play (and the 20th century) on her shoulders."

Time Out Chicago - Somewhat Recommended

"... Smith ably plays Leland as a fox among chickens, a seeming innocent who crackles with bigotry and Biblical rage. Merrell gives an assured performance as a man who ignores the life he has in favor of pretending to have the one he wants. He has a smooth chemistry with the charismatic Owens, though his allegiance to her is only glancingly explained by a shared and damaged past. Director Greene shows a facility for managing his cast’s mercurial artistry, but static blocking underscores the deficits of the script. If only some of Harlem’s alluded-to grit had penetrated the walls of Shaun Renfro’s disconcertingly lush set; if only Cleage had rethought her decision to set the entire play within the tenement’s walls."

Chicago Stage and Screen - Recommended

"...Director J. Israel Greene treats Cleage's passion play with unhurried affection.  An almost matter-of-fact martyr, Kelly Owens’ painfully human Angel radiates a contagious hunger for happiness.  If Owens’ goodtime girl recalls Blanche DuBois or Johnny's Frankie, Smith’s life-loathing Leland seems painfully contemporary.  He’s not as sensual as the part requires but he has a deceptively sweet, small-town patina that should be more deceptive than it is.  Lavishly doling out comic relief, Merrell’s flaming Guy incarnates loyalty and hedonism."

Chicago Theater Beat - Somewhat Recommended

"...I recommend this play with some reservations. Be prepared for a long evening and do some reading on the Harlem Renaissance because much is alluded to but never fleshed out about this wonderful time in America’s history. I would also recommend that you check out some reading on the Black expatriate movement to get a bead on the cultural mood and the movement toward Paris."