Ma Rainey's Black Bottom Revival 2003 - Articles Page 1.8

Opened: February 6, 2003
Closing: April 06, 2003

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom - 2003 - Broadway History , Info & More

Royale Theatre
242 W. 45th St. New York, NY 10036

Blues diva Ma Rainey and her band have come to a Chicago studio to cut a record, but their artistic differences nearly stop the session before it starts. Full of unforgettable characters and the raw power of the blues, this 1920s installment of Wilson's groundbreaking cycle of plays confronts the issues of race, fame, and generational divides through the rhythms of the African-American South.



August Wilson (1945-2005) The most-produced African-American playwright of all time, August Wilson was a self-taught writer whose distinctive style combined poeticism and everyday slang. The plays of his remarkable Pittsburgh Cycle chronicled the black experience in America in every decade of the 20thcentury, winning two Pulitzer Prizes and redefining African-American storytelling for a generation of theatergoers.

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BWW Review: HOW I LEARNED WHAT I LEARNED at Avant Bard Theatre
by Roger Catlin - Dec 5, 2021


August Wilson was always a font of stories. In addition to the 10 plays of his lauded Pittsburgh Cycle, there were books, essays and poems largely about the African-American experience.

Cast and Creative Team Announced for August Wilson's SEVEN GUITARS at Arena Stage
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 20, 2021


Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater has announced the cast and creative team for Tony Award-nominated August Wilson’s Seven Guitars, directed by Tazewell Thompson (Arena’s Jubilee).

TheatreWorks to Reopen October 2021 With LIZARD BOY
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 27, 2021


TheatreWorks Silicon Valley will resume in-person performances when it launches its previously announced 51st season, featuring eight plays and musicals presented October 2021 through August 2022, kicking off with the new indie folk-rock musical Lizard Boy.

Student Blog: Broadway Takes Hollywood
by Student Blogger: Anna Demaria - Apr 23, 2021


From the Great White Way to the Silver Screen, these artists have careers that span both the stage and screen. Today we are delving into the Broadway careers of six performers who are nominated for the 2021 Academy Awards.

Marvel Stars That Have Taken Bows on Broadway
by Taylor Brethauer-Hamling - Jun 12, 2021


Which Marvel stars have been nominated for Tony awards? Which Marvel stars have produced shows on Broadway? What are some of their upcoming Broadway projects! Read on to find out!

Celebrating Black History Month: Spotlight On August Wilson, Pulitzer Prize-Winning Playwright
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 20, 2021


August Wilson is best known as the author of the American Century Cycle, a series of ten plays including Gem of the Ocean, Joe Turner's Come and Gone, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, The Piano Lesson, Seven Guitars, Fences, Two Trains Running, Jitney, King Hedley II, and Radio Golf. These works explore the heritage and experience of African Americans, decade-by-decade, over the course of the twentieth century.

Thomas Jefferson Byrd Killed in Shooting in Atlanta
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 5, 2020


The Tony-nominated actor Thomas Jefferson Byrd was shot and killed in Atlanta on Saturday morning.

VIDEO: On This Day, October 2- Remembering August Wilson
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 2, 2020


August Wilson authored Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Fences, Joe Turner's Come and Gone, The Piano Lesson, Two Trains Running, Seven Guitars, Jitney, King Hedley II, Gem of the Ocean, and Radio Golf. These works explore the heritage and experience of the descendants of Africans brought to North America, decade-by-decade over the course of the twentieth century, and together, they form a compilation entitled The American Century Cycle.

TheatreWorks Announces Updated 51st Season, Plus New Hershey Felder Livestream
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 12, 2020


TheatreWorks Silicon Valley's Artistic Director Tim Bond and Executive Director Phil Santora announced today that the Tony Award-winning theatre will postpone the opening of its 51st mainstage season to March 2021, with eight plays presented through May 2022.

PLAY OF THE DAY! Today's Play: MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM by August Wilson
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 13, 2020


During this time when productions all over the world have been put on pause, we are coming together to celebrate plays that have left their mark on theater history.

BWW Exclusive: The 101 GREATEST PLAYS of the Past 100 Years (1920-2020)
by Peter Nason - Apr 7, 2020


BWW Reviewer Peter Nason chooses the greatest theatrical works (non-musical) from 1920-2020; see if your favorites made the list!

Full Cast Announced for SEVEN GUITARS at Arena Stage
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 20, 2020


Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater has announced the company for August Wilson's Seven Guitars. Tazewell Thompson (Arena's Jubilee) will direct this Tony Award-nominated play. Set in 1940s Pittsburgh, seven lives are interconnected when old friend and blues singer Floyd Barton vows to turn his life around after a surprise windfall leaves him hopeful for a second chance.

LAST SUMMER AT BLUEFISH COVE Directed by Cynthia Nixon and Produced by Ellen DeGeneres is Heading to Broadway
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 13, 2020


Producers Harriet Newman Leve, Ellen DeGeneres, Portia de Rossi, Lily Tomlin and Jane Wagner have announced a 2020 Broadway bound production of Last Summer at Bluefish Cove.

John Douglas Thompson Reprises Role In JITNEY In Staged Reading Benefiting Boston's The Front Porch Arts Collective
by Stephi Wild - Aug 21, 2019


Tony Award nominee and Elliot Norton Award winner John Douglas Thompson revives his Tony-nominated role in a staged reading of Jitney as a benefit for the Front Porch Arts Collective, Boston's newest Black theatre company. The reading will take place at the South End/Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA (527 Tremont St., Boston) on Monday, September 16 at 6:30pm. Single tickets are pay what you wish starting at $25 and can be purchased by visiting bostontheatrescene.com.

Partial Casting Announced For August Wilson's JITNEY National Tour
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 29, 2019


Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater announces partial casting of August Wilson's Jitney. Tony Award-winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson directs his 2017 Broadway production a?' recipient of the Tony Award for Best Play Revival. Set in the early 1970s, Jitney follows a group of men trying to make a living by driving unlicensed cabs, or jitneys.

Court Theatre Announces Casting For KING HEDLEY II
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 15, 2019


Court Theatre, under the continuing leadership of Charles Newell, Marilyn F. Vitale Artistic Director, and Angel Ysaguirre, Executive Director, has announced casting for August Wilson's King Hedley II, directed by Resident Artist Ron OJ Parson. King Hedley II runs September 12 - October 13, 2019 at Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Ave. The press opening is Saturday, September 21, 2019 at 7:30pm.

Taylour Paige, Jonny Coyne, and More Join MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM Netflix Adaptation
by Stephi Wild - Jul 8, 2019


According to Deadline, additional casting has been announced for the upcoming Netflix adaptation of the August Wilson play Ma Rainey's Black Bottom.

Netflix to Adapt August Wilson's Play MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM Starring Viola Davis
by Kaitlin Milligan - Jun 19, 2019


Viola Davis, Chadwick Boseman, Glynn Turman, Colman Domingo and Michael Potts are set to star in the Netflix film adaptation of August Wilson's play Ma Rainey's Black Bottom.

American Blues Theater Adds Ensemble Members, 'Buddy Holly' Zachary Stevenson Appointed To Artistic Affiliates
by Julie Musbach - Nov 13, 2018


American Blues Theater announces the addition of five new Ensemble members and one new Artistic Affiliate to the Blues family. Joining the Ensemble is director, designer and Associate Producer Elyse Dolan, who directed several works in past Ripped and Blue Ink festivals; designer Jared Gooding, lighting designer of Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story; actor Philip Earl Johnson, who is slated to appear in the upcoming Chicago premiere of Steven Dietz's On Clover Road; director Chuck Smith, director of the recent American Blues production of Pearl Cleage's Flyin' West; and actress and playwright Wandachristine, who won many awards for her solo performance Beauty's Daughter. Actor Zachary Stevenson has been named an Artistic Affiliate. Stevenson recently made his Chicago debut as 'Buddy Holly' in American Blues Theater's Joseph Jefferson Award-winning musical Buddy - the Buddy Holly Story, in which he also won a Jeff Award for Performance in a Musical.

VIDEO: On This Day, October 2- Remembering August Wilson
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 2, 2018


August Wilson authored Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Fences, Joe Turner's Come and Gone, The Piano Lesson, Two Trains Running, Seven Guitars, Jitney, King Hedley II, Gem of the Ocean, and Radio Golf. These works explore the heritage and experience of the descendants of Africans brought to North America, decade-by-decade over the course of the twentieth century, and together, they form a compilation entitled The American Century Cycle.

Performances Begin 5/5 For HAVING OUR SAY: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 24, 2018


Goodman Theatre celebrates the lives of "two strong, vibrant women dispensing joy and wisdom" (Chicago Tribune) in a major revival of Emily Mann's Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years. Directed by the Goodman's longtime Resident Director Chuck Smith, the production features Ella Joyce and Marie Thomas as the Delany centenarians, Bessie (1891 - 1995) and Sadie (1889 -1999), respectively. The sisters were discovered in 1991 when Amy Hill Hearth interviewed them for The New York Times. Following the article, the trio co-authored the book, Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years-a New York Times bestseller and heartfelt reflection of their family history and triumphs over prejudices in times of social unrest. Mann adapted it for the stage, first at McCarter Theatre Center in Princeton, New Jersey and then to Broadway, where it ran for 317 performances. Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years appears May 5 - June 10, 2018 in the Albert Theatre (opening night is Monday, May 14). Tickets ($20 - $75; subject to change) are now on sale at GoodmanTheatre.org/HavingOurSay, by phone at 312.443. 3800 or at the box office (170 North Dearborn). ComEd is the Major Corporate Sponsor, Conagra Brands Foundation is the Major Production Sponsor and ITW and PwC are the Corporate Sponsor Partners. 

Danny Burstein, Katrina Lenk, Ethan Slater, and More to Honor August Wilson and David Yazbek at Theatre Forward Gala
by Julie Musbach - Apr 2, 2018


Theatre Forward and Chairman John Thomopoulous will lead a celebration to support American theatre at the annual Chairman's Awards Gala on Monday, April 9th at The Pierre New York. The works of Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award® winner AUGUST WILSON (Fences, The Piano Lesson, Jitney) will be honored this spring with the Legacy Award, Tony Award® nomineeDAVID YAZBEK (The Band's Visit, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, The Full Monty) will be honored with the Creative Achievement Award.

Theatre Forward Honors The Works Of August Wilson, David Yazbek & Citi At Chairman's Awards Gala
by Stephi Wild - Mar 26, 2018


THEATRE FORWARD and Chairman JOHN THOMOPOULOUS will lead a celebration to support American theatre at the annual Chairman's Awards Gala on Monday, April 9th at The Pierre New York (2 East 61st Street at Fifth Avenue). The Chairman's Awards Gala supports the work of Theatre Forward, currently celebrating its 40th Anniversary season, which is dedicated to advancing American theatres and its communities through its Educating Through Theatre and Advancing Strong Theatre initiatives.

Cast Announced for the Goodman's HAVING OUR SAY: THE DELANY SISTERS' FIRST 100 YEARS
by Julie Musbach - Mar 12, 2018


"Life is short, and it's up to you to make it sweet." - Sadie Delany (1889 -1999). Goodman Theatre revives Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years, Emily Mann's "warming theatrical event" (Variety)that celebrates the lives of "two strong, vibrant women dispensing joy and wisdom" (Chicago Tribune). Goodman Theatre Resident Director Chuck Smith's production features Ella Joyce and Marie Thomas as the Delany centenarians, Bessie (1891 - 1995) and Sadie (1889 -1999), respectively, as they trace their lives in a heartfelt reflection of their family history and triumphs over prejudices in times of social unrest.

CPS Students Nia Safro And Chisom Chima To Represent Chicago At The National August Wilson Monologue Competition
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 7, 2018


The League of Chicago Theatres, Goodman Theatre, the University of Illinois at Chicago, Broadway In Chicago and competition organizer Derrick Sanders announce the three Chicago finalists for the 9th Annual August Wilson Monologue Competition: Nia Safro from Chicago High School for the Performing Arts (first place, performed Molly, Joe Turner's Come and Gone); Chisom Chima from Nicholas Senn High School (second place; performed King, King Hedley II); and Evan Simpson from Chicago High School for the Performing Arts (third place, performed Youngblood, Jitney). The top three Chicago finalists were awarded scholarships in the amount of $500, $250 and $100, respectively. The top two winning students will receive expenses paid to travel to New York City for the National Finals, where they will compete on May 7, 2018.

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What productions of Ma Rainey's Black Bottom have there been?
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom has had 4 productions including Broadway which opened in 1984, Broadway which opened in 1984, Broadway which opened in 2003 and Broadway which opened in 2003.
What awards has Ma Rainey's Black Bottom been nominated for?
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom has been nominated for the Performance category at the Theatre World Awards for Thomas Jefferson Byrd.
What awards has Ma Rainey's Black Bottom won?
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom has won the Performance (Theatre World Awards) for Thomas Jefferson Byrd.

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