Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom : Enthusiasm, Struggles, & Taboos

The Two River Theater in Red Bank, NJ kicked off the 2016 – 2017 season with August Wilson’s 1920s inspired play Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson.

About Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

Set in Chicago in 1927, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom follows the 1920s musicial life of legendary singer Ma Rainey (the real-life “Mother of the Blues”) as she lays down tracks with her band in a recording studio.

Brandon Dirden, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom 
© T Charles Erickson Photography

Ma Rainey was one of the top selling artists during that time who signed with Paramount Records and was the first blues singer to be signed to a major label.

Within a matter of a few years, the top selling artists who performed with Louis Armstrong and Fletcher Henderson were pulling in $200 per recording while white performers who performed in black face earned $10,000 within the same week. This particular story is not told in the play, but the undertone of unfairness and racial discrimination is played out very well throughout this production.

The premise

Much to the dismay of producer Sturdyvant (Peter Van Wagner) and Irvin (Michael Cumperty), Ma Rainey is late. But the rest of the band has arrived and led the audience in a very intellectual dialogue on the racial realities during the 1920s.

The band

The band consists of Levee (Brandon Dirden) an ambitious trumpet player who is eager to bring a new style of music to his generation.

An intellectual and wise old piano player Toledo (Brian D. Coats), bassist Slow Drag (Harvy Blanks).

Trombone player Culter (James A. Willaims) who is very modest in the midst of the disagreements.

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
© T Charles Erickson Photography
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The players in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

The youngest of the quartet is Levee (Dirden), who is an enthusiastic eager musician ready to change the world with his music.

As the band is waiting for Ma Rainey (Arnetia Walker), Levee and Toledo wait in the rehearsal room, exchanging dialogue which is sometimes very intense.

Irvin and Sturdy are at the top level of the recording studio getting things ready as they wait for Ma Rainey.

When Ma Rainey finally arrives with a female friend Dussie Mae (Chante Adams) and her nephew Sylvester (Marcel Spears), they burst in as they were being chased by a police officer who says they were in an altercation with unaccommodating cab driver. The police officer wants to charge them with assault but Ma Rainey’s doesn’t back down. Her manager, Irvin, eventually manages to get everything taken care of.

During the course of this play, you will realize that though Ma Rainey is a highly respected singer, she can only push her influence but so far; a tale that Leveee would also learn as well.

Lessons in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom takes you on a journey through a keen lenses on life, the struggles African Americans faced during those times, to a glimpse of “taboos” of same-sex couple lifestyle. Ma Rainey was powerful and she had a girlfriend with her to stand in her prowess.

I will not go into much detail as I want to encourage you all to see this dynamic play and feel August Wilson’s captivating, versatile style of writing with Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.

Not only is the writing style impressive, but as you walk into The Two River’s quaint theater, you will instantly feel you are in a recording studio during the 1920s with its impeccable set and stage design.

I was very pleased to be a part of the opening night festivities. I encourage everyone to see this play, especially if you want a true lesson on rich African American history.

In my opinion, August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is the best of Wilson’s culturally rich authentic playwrights.

Two River Theater nails it again.

The play is running until October 9th. Visit tworivertheater.org for ticket information.