MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM

Yale Repertory Theatre

Run Dates

1984.10.11 ~ 1985.06.09

James Earl Jones Theatre

Broadway Premiere

1984.04.03 ~ 1984.04.21

Yale Repertory Theatre

World Premiere

About the show

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.

Creatives

August Wilson

Playwright/Author

August Wilson

Playwright/Author

Details

By August Wilson Directed by Lloyd Richards Charles Henry McClennahan Scenic Design Daphne Pascucci Costume Design Peter Maradudin Lighting Design Dwight Andrews Musical Direction CAST Richard M. Davidson Sturdyvant Lou Criscuolo Irvin Joe Seneca Cutler Robert Judd Toledo Leonard Jackson Slow Drag Charles S. Dutton Levee Theresa Merritt Ma Rainey David Wayne Nelson Policeman Sharon Mitchell Dussie Mae Steven R. Blye Sylvester production photo ©️William B. Carter

Where it's been performed

James Earl Jones Theatre

New York

United States

New York

United States

Yale Repertory Theatre

New Haven

United States

New Haven

United States

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