Blues for an Alabama Sky

Questions for After Reading the Script 1. Explain how the title Blues for an Alabama Sky reflects the themes in the play?

2. Issues of race, sexual identity, religion, and birth control abound in Blues for an Alabama Sky. Give examples of the conflict that arises from the characters’ perspectives on these issues.

3. What does Paris represent to Guy? Name some African-American artists who sought a livelihood in Europe during the 1920’s?

4. Describe the relationship between Guy and Angel? Does Angel believe in Guy’s dream? How are they different? How are they alike? Where do Angel and Guy hail from? What was their life like there?

5. What promise did Harlem hold for African-Americans in the 1920’s? Do you think it is still regarded in the same way today? Explain your answer.

6. What does Leland see in Angel besides his deceased wife Anna’s face? What does he hope to accomplish by marrying her? What irony exists in the demise of his relationship with Angel?

7. Why does Angel agree to marry Leland? In what respects is this relationship similar to her relationships with the Italian gangsters?

8. How does Leland’s opinion change of his new-found friends during the course of the play? Why do you think he was so opposed to their lifestyles and beliefs?

9. Leland mentions he is from Tuskegee, and Sam replies, “Home of the World Famous Institute.”

Why is the Tuskegee Institute famous?

10. Is there a character in the play who’s plight you identify with more than the others? If so, who and why?

11. Describe Doc’s feelings about performing another abortion on Angel? What does Angel mean when she says to Sam, “How come a little half-Italian baby didn’t tug at your heartstrings like this one does?”

12. What do you think the future holds for Delia and Guy in Paris? Will he make it? Will Delia?

13. Blues for an Alabama Sky is a tragedy tinged with hope at the end. Where does the tragedy reside in this play and where does the hope live?

14. At the very end of the play, Angel toasts the photo of Josephine Baker. What do you think is going through Angel’s mind?

53