Theatre Arts and African American Theatre Program Presents Pearl Cleage’s Blues for an Alabama Sky
September 23, 2025
The University of Louisville Department of Theatre Arts’ African American Theatre Program is proud to present Blues for an Alabama Sky by acclaimed playwright Pearl Cleage, directed by Catron Booker.
The production will run September 26th-October 5th at The Playhouse. This play brings to the stage a powerful exploration of dreams, struggle, and resilience in Harlem during the height of the Harlem Renaissance. Set in the summer of 1930, Blues for an Alabama Sky follows a group of friends navigating shifting times in New York City as the Great Depression takes hold. Angel, a recently unemployed Cotton Club singer, wrestles with her future while leaning on her friend Guy, a costume designer with dreams of working for Josephine Baker in Paris.
Their circle—made up of a neighborhood doctor and a young activist—faces personal and political crossroads that highlight the clash between hope and harsh realities in a rapidly changing America. Pearl Cleage’s celebrated drama explores themes of friendship, ambition, and the cost of pursuing one’s dreams against the backdrop of the Harlem Renaissance—a cultural explosion of Black artistry, politics, and identity.
With its lyrical dialogue and deeply human characters, the play offers audiences both a window into history and a mirror reflecting contemporary struggles for freedom and self-determination.
Blues for an Alabama Sky will be performed at the historic Belknap Playhouse on the University of Louisville’s campus. 2024 marked the 150th birthday of the building and 2025 marks the 100th year of theatrical performances in the space. Do not miss your chance to catch this unforgettable story and to celebrate this monumental milestone with us!
Performance Details:
- Sept. 26th @7:30pm
- Sept. 27th @7:30pm
- Sept. 28th @2:00pm
- Oct. 1st @10:00am
- Oct. 3rd @7:30pm
- Oct. 4th @7:30pm
- Oct. 5th @2:00pm
The Playhouse is located at 1911 S. 3rd St., Louisville, KY 40208. Tickets are available through the University of Louisville Department of Theatre Arts box office at onthestage.tickets/university-of-louisville or by calling 502-852-6814.
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