I Was Looking at the Ceiling and Then I Saw the Sky

I Was Looking at the Ceiling and Then I Saw the Sky is a 1995 "song play" with music composed by John Adams and a libretto by June Jordan.

The work is scored for 3 mezzo sopranos, high tenor, and 2 baritones, accompanied by an ensemble comprising 2 reed players (clarinet, bass clarinet, alto saxophone), 3 keyboards (piano, keyboard samplers), acoustic and electric guitars, electric bass guitar (doubling on double bass) and drum set (doubling on MIDI drums).

Summary
The story takes place in the aftermath of the 1994 earthquake in Los Angeles, and covers the reactions of all characters to the event.

The main characters are seven young Americans all living in Los Angeles but from different social and ethnic backgrounds.

Style
According to the composer, the all song and ensemble piece is "a Broadwaystyle show" fused with gospel, pop ballad, the blues, doo-wop and popular song.