
International Theatre Database
Category
Play
Country
United States
Run Dates
Oct 11, 1984 - Jun 9, 1985
Run Time
145 minutes
1984.10.11 ~ 1985.06.09
James Earl Jones Theatre
Broadway Premiere
1984.04.03 ~ 1984.04.21
Yale Repertory Theatre
World Premiere
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom is a 1982 play by August Wilson, set in a recording studio in 1920s Chicago, during a recording session of the titular song by the blues singer Ma Rainey. The play deals with issues of race, art, religion, and the historic exploitation of Black recording artists by white producers; it is part of the ten-play Pittsburgh Cycle (also referred to as The Century Cycle) by the playwright, chronicling the 20th century African-American experience.