“Blues for an Alabama Sky” is a great theatrical production, directed by new faculty member Melinda Wilson, being shown on Sacramento State’s campus.- Set in Harlem in 1930, the play demonstrates the effects of the Great Depression on the lives of African Americans and the uprising of the Harlem nightlife, African American poetry, artistry and literature,-which was defined through the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920’s.-

The cast for this production was outstanding.- Selu Fonua, who plays aspiring blues singer Angel Allen,-is the leading role.- In the story, Angel loses her job and meets an Alabama gentleman, Leland Cunningham, played by Noah Hayes,-who falls in love with her. Eventually, she gets pregnant by him, but there is a problem.

She faces a dilemma about whether she wants to keep the baby and stay in Harlem with Leland, or abort the baby and run off to Paris with her cousin Guy Jacobs, played by Andre Ramey, who got a job designing costumes for entertainer Josephine Baker.-

-Their neighbor Delia Patterson, played by Afton Sanders, engages in a romantic relationship with Guy’s good friend Dr. Sam Thomas, played by Brandon Rubin.-

-But just when you think you know the story line, someone is killed and the suspense of how this story will end has you well involved in the play.- -For this play to only have five characters, I found myself equally interested in each as they all were portrayed in a different style ?” it kept the atmosphere interesting.

-The costume design gives this play a realistic Harlem-feel along with the lighting and sound effects.-

-This production is being shown in Shasta Hall in the Playwright’s theatre, and though not a-very big space, I enjoyed the intimate setting.- It seemed as though each actor and actress was close enough for me to actually touch, and that made it more interactive for the audience.

-The remaining show times for “Blues for an Alabama Sky” are 6:30 p.m. tonight, 8 p.m. Dec. 1-3-and 2 p.m. Dec. 4.

Lisa Warren can be reached at [email protected]