ABOUT THE PLAY

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Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom takes place in a Chicago recording studio where Ma Rainey’s band members, Cutler, Toledo, Slow Drag and Levee, wait for her to show up to record their new album. As they wait, the band players banter and tell stories and jokes, but it soon becomes clear that there is an underlying tension between the impulsive young trumpet player, Levee, and the veteran players, Cutler and Toledo. Finally, Ma Rainey shows up with her lover, Dussie Mae, and her nephew, Sylvester, but the recording session is very behind, much to the dismay of her white producers. As tempers rise in the room, the situation between Levee and Cutler continues to heat, driving them to violence. When Levee is fired, he reaches his breaking point and stabs Toledo, killing him, and destroying both of their dreams for the future.

 

CAST & CREATIVE

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Sturdyvant - Louis Zorich

Irvin - Jack Davidson

Cutler - Carl Gordon

Toledo - Thomas Jefferson Byrd

Slow Drag - Stephen Mckinley Henderson

Levee - Charles S. Dutton

Ma Rainey - Whoopi Goldberg

Policeman - Tony Cucci

Dussie Mae - Heather Alicia Simms

Sylvester - Anthony Mackie

 

Author - August Wilson

Director - Marion Mcclinton

Set Design - David Gallo

Costume Design - Toni-Leslie James

Lighting Design - Donald Holder

Sound Design - Rob Milburn, Michael Bodeen

Music Director -  Dwight Andrews

 

 

QUOTES & REVIEWS

 

A SCORCHING REVIVAL!

This glowing new production confirms that Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom remains one of August Wilson’s greatest works. With Charles S. Dutton recreating his role as an explosive music man – and tremendously powerful he is – and with Whoopi Goldberg lending her warm presence as Ma Rainey, the play never ceases to fascinate.

Michael Sommers, The Star-Ledger

 

AN EXQUISITE, VIVID PIECE OF STORYTELLING! The play is itself a blues song, and it does onstage, what Ma Rainey says her songs do; it understands life; it takes an empty world and fills it up. As resonant and compelling today as it was when it first opened on Broadway!

John Lahr, The New Yorker

 

MA RAINEY SINGS THE BLUES WITH BOUNCE AND CHARM! A TREAT NO THEATER FAN SHOULD MISS!

Elysa Gardner, USA Today

 

MA RAINEY SHINES! THE ACTING IS BEAUTIFUL!

Whoopi Goldberg is a joy, singing well and acting with a cutting force. Charles S. Dutton seethes with the constant menace of thunder. August Wilson’s sense of characterization is masterful.

Clive Barnes, The NY Post

 

FILLED WITH BLAZING LYRICAL AND EMOTIONAL FORCE!

This revival gives another generation of theatergoers a chance to

hear that unmistakable music: the spellbinding sound of a great

American artist singing the history of his culture from the stage,

creating a long, beautiful song.

Charles Isherwood, Variety

 

The brilliant ensemble is mesmerizing. ABSOLUTELY EXTRAORDINARY!

Joan Hamburg, WOR Radio

 

AN INCENDIARY, EXHILARATING WORK!

Linda Winer, Newsday