Inside “Blues for an Alabama Sky” with director Valerie Curtis-Newton
An in-depth interview with a beloved director, “Hamilton” comes to Seattle, and ACT presents a winter showcase.
Seattle Rep: Pearl Cleage’s Blues for an Alabama Sky premiered in 1995 and has had a renaissance in recent years with productions at regional theaters across the U.S. and the National Theatre in London. Why do you think this play resonates so deeply with audiences today?
Valerie Curtis-Newton: What does a play about the 1930s have to tell us today? Cleage has said about Blues, “The story is set in 1930, but it isn’t about 1930. It’s about truth and honor and love and fear and friendship, topics which don’t grow old. Writers are always writing about the complexities of being human. Time and place are merely the specific backdrops in which we chose to place our explorations. If we get it right about the people, the question of relevance is moot.” I believe this. I also believe that the specific background issues of this play are still relevant. Reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ rights, healthcare equity, and economic opportunity are all impacting our lives today. We need to build stronger communities to thrive. Better, more compassionate communities. The questions of how do we get free and what do we do with our freedom remain with us.
On the Stage
This week is all about revolution, friendship, renaissance, murder, and love. Take your pick, there’s something for everyone.
Hamilton
Musical Theatre | Broadway at The Paramount
Now – March 2 | Tickets
Hamilton is the epic saga that follows the rise of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton as he fights for honor, love, and a legacy that would shape the course of a nation.
More Events
- Lewis and Tolkien | Taproot Theatre Company | Now – February 22 | View the Program
- Blues for an Alabama Sky | Seattle Rep | Now – February 23 | View the Program
- Dial M for Murder | Village Theatre Issaquah | Now – February 23 | View the Program
- The Last Five Years | The 5th Avenue Theatre & ACT Theatre | February 8 – March 16 | View the Program
Next Line
A new ticketing system for Village Theatre, the next generation of actors takes the stage in a showcase, and your last chance to win tickets!
- Village Theatre launches a new, more reliable and user-friendly ticketing site. With your Spektrix account, you’ll be able to: quickly renew your subscription online; specify/update your contact preferences; safely store your payment method (if you wish); view and adjust your data for accuracy, and much more.
- Tickets are now on sale for ACT’s Young Core Company winter showcase. An evening of performances explores themes of morality, presented by the next generation of young theater artists. Do the Right Thing is presented in the Fall’s Theatre on March 9.
- Time is running out, the contest entry closes on February 15! As a subscriber to Encore+, you are eligible to enter to win two tickets to an upcoming performance of Sara Bareilles’s pop-rock musical Waitress at The 5th Avenue Theatre. Share this newsletter with your friends and family, ask them to subscribe, and they’ll be entered to win as well!
