August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

Full Length Play, Drama / 8m, 2f

Winner! New York Drama Critics Circle Award

August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

Cast Size
8m, 2f
Duration
More than 120 minutes (2 hours)
Subgenre
Period
Accolades
From Broadway
Target Audience
- Adult

Additional Info

It's 1927 in a rundown studio in Chicago where Ma Rainey is recording new sides of old favorites. More goes down in the session than music in this riveting portrayal of rage, racism, the self hate and exploitation.

Accolades

Winner! New York Drama Critics Circle Award
August Wilson is the recipient of the 1986 Whiting Award for Drama

Reviews

REVIEWS

"Searing ... funny, salty, carnal and lyrical.... Wilson has lighted a dramatic fuse that snakes and hisses through several anguished eras of American life. When the fuse reaches its explosive final destination, the audience is impaled by the impact." - The New York Times

"Powerfully relevant! Ma Rainey challenges and nourishes, shocks and heals." - Los Angeles Times, Read More

"Brilliant ... explosive! Dramatically riveting." - Newhouse Newspapers

Videos

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom National Theatre Trailer
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom Milwaukee Rep scene
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom Arizona Theatre Company scene
"Ma Rainey's Black Bottom," Live in The Greene Space

Considerations

Performing Groups

College Theatre / Student
Community Theatre
Professional Theatre

License details

Minimum Fee: $100 per performance
Optional Music/Media Fee: $25 per performance

Production

Details

Time Period: 1920s
Duration: More than 120 minutes (2 hours)
Setting: A recording studio in Chicago, 1927.
Features / Contains: Period Costumes

Casting

8m, 2f

STURDYVANT
IRVIN
CUTLER
TOLDEO
SLOW DRAG
LEVEE
MA RAINEY
POLICEMAN
DUSSIE MAE
SYLVESTER

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Cast Attributes

Role(s) for Black Actor(s)
Multicultural casting
Strong Role for Leading Woman (Star Vehicle)

Casting Notes

Casting includes 5 black and 3 white males, 2 black females

Resources

Scripts

Authors

August Wilson

August Wilson (April 27, 1945-October 2, 2005) authored

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Ma Rainey's Black Bottom was first presented at the Yale Repertory Theatre on April 6, 1984. It was directed by Lloyd Richards.

August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom