Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
by August Wilson
Awards & Recognition
Nominee: Three 1985 Tony Awards, including Best Play Nominee: Two 1985 Drama Desk Awards, including Outstanding New Play Winner! 1985 New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Play Winner! 2016 Olivier Award for Best Revival of a Play
Synopsis
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom; Set in Chicago in 1927, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom is a play dealing with issues of race, art, religion and the historic exploitation of black recording artists by white producers.
Press 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
"Brilliant... explosive! Dramatically riveting."
— Newhouse Newspapers
Characters
| Character |
|---|
Irvin |
Cutler |
Toldeo |
Slow Drag |
Levee |
Ma Rainey |
Policeman |
Dussie Mae |
Sylvester |
Sturdyvant |
Videos
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom Milwaukee Rep scene
Publication
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom is a play written by August Wilson and published by Nick Hern Books (1986).
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