Pearl Cleage’s 1930’s social drama hits the right notes at Trinity Rep.

Directed by Jackie Davis and acted by five outstanding actors, the story takes place during the Harlem Renaissance, as black families strive to survive economically and socially, while introducing the arts to the depressed community.

The play centers around Angel (Cloteal L. Horne) a blues singer who has been fired and moves into an apartment with Guy, her gay friend and costume designer (Taavon Gamble). She befriends Delia (Meagan Dilworth) who lives across the hall.

Sam (Dereks Thomas), the local doctor, completes their small close-knit community of struggling survivors and dreamers.

Into Angel’s life comes Leland (Quinn West) a “gentleman caller” from Alabama who falls in love with her despite their differences, beliefs and social backgrounds.

Michael McGarty’s cluttered set sprawls across the downstairs Dowling Theatre stage, with Angel’s apartment on one side and Delia’s on the other.

Angel obsesses over her upcoming audition, while Guy dreams of landing a job in Paris. Delia is a church lady, leading a family planning clinic and seeking advice and help from her doctor friend.

The characters reveal their past, their hopes and their dreams in a long first act (1 hour & 50 minutes).

When Leland discovers that Guy is gay, his southern-raised prejudices rise and cause friction in the close-knit group.

The second act (also long) deals with the situation while also tackling other problems faced by the Black community in Harlem and beyond.

Cleage has written much humor into the script, as the five individuals deal with their personal problems, interactions, and prejudices from white folks. We lost some of the lines when actors had their backs to us or were on the far side of the stage.

“Blues for an Alabama Sky” took place nearly 90 years ago but is as relevant today as it was back then. It is a play to be seen for the many issues raised.

At Trinity Rep through June 29. For tickets, visit trinityrep.com or call 351-4242.