Ma Rainey's Black Bottom 1984 - Articles Page 3

Opened: October 11, 1984
Closing: June 09, 1985

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom - 1984 - Broadway History , Info & More

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.

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom - 1984 - Broadway Cast

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Ma Rainey's Black Bottom - 1984 - Broadway Articles Page 3

Victory Gardens to Present World Premiere of QUEEN by Madhuri Shekar
by BWW News Desk - Mar 16, 2017


Victory Gardens Theater continues its 42nd season with the World Premiere of Queen, written by Madhuri Shekar and directed by Joanie Schultz.

Open Stage of Harrisburg Founders Donald and Anne Alsedek Are Retiring
by BWW News Desk - Feb 28, 2017


Open Stage of Harrisburg announced today that theatre mainstays Anne and Don Alsedek will retire June 30, 2017, at the conclusion of the theatre's 31st season.

BWW Review: Ensemble Hits a Hole-in-One with RADIO GOLF
by Roy Berko - Feb 27, 2017


August Wilson is considered not only one of the greatest of African American playwrights, but of all theatrical writers. His themes of self-identity, racism, loyalty, religion, deception, love, gentrification and historical verification form the centerpiece of his well-received 'Century Cycle' about black life in Pittsburgh.

BWW Feature: Building FENCES - A Journey From Stage To Screen and the Legacy of August Wilson
by Jeffrey Walker - Feb 26, 2017


From the Broadway stage to the Pulitzer Prize, back to Broadway, and now as a film adaptation with four Oscar nominations, FENCES has riveted audiences for more than 30 years. The film, directed by and starring Denzel Washington, is nominated for Best Picture, with Washington and Viola Davis nominated for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress. The fourth nomination is for the drama's original playwright August Wilson for Best Adapted Screenplay. Wilson died in 2005. Wilson left behind an indelible legacy of dramatic work, having penned the ambitious American Century Cycle of ten plays focusing on the African-American experience in the 20th century.

Cast Set for U.S. Premiere of BEYOND CARING, Return of MOBY DICK at Lookingglass Theatre
by BWW News Desk - Jan 17, 2017


Lookingglass Theatre Company announces casting for the final two shows of its 2016-2017 season, including the U.S. Premiere of Beyond Caring, written and directed by Alexander Zeldin in association with Dark Harbor Stories, a company led by Ensemble Member David Schwimmer and Tom Hodges, as well as the remount of the Jeff Award-winning Moby Dick, adapted from the novel by Herman Melville and directed by Ensemble Member David Catlin.

Hackney Empire Announces Full Cast for SLEEPING BEAUTY
by Liz Cearns - Oct 4, 2016


Hackney Empire today announced the full cast of its brand new pantomime for 2016, Sleeping Beauty. The West End's leading lady Alexia Khadime (Wicked, The Book of Mormon, The Lion King) will be returning to the site of her stage debut to star as Princess Tahlia (Sleeping Beauty). She will be joined by Olivier Award-winner Sharon D Clarke who returns to Hackney Empire after her appearance in Mother Goose in 2014. They are joined by Gavin Spokes who makes his dameing debut, he joins the Hackney Empire family straight from his Olivier Award-nominated performance as Nicely Nicely Johnson in Guys and Dolls in the West End.

Lillias White Stars in MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM, Directed by Phylicia Rashad, Beginning Tonight in Los Angeles
by BWW News Desk - Aug 31, 2016


Center Theatre Group presents August Wilson's 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom' which begins previews tonight, August 31, opens September 11 and continues through October 16, 2016, at the Mark Taper Forum.

Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn Gets A Theater in the Park for the Summer
by BWW News Desk - Aug 27, 2016


August in August' is a brand new annual live performance series teaming Joseph Grant Jr., ambassador of arts and culture for the councilman and theatrical producer Andrea J. Fulton of the Anderson & Bert Cade Fulton Foundation. Joint efforts result in the mounting of August Wilson's Tony nominated Two Trains Running directed by Sabura Rashid as its upcoming offering starting August 26th 2016. The production of 'Two Trains Running' will be featured at Fulton Park in Brooklyn on Aug. 26 from 6 to 9 p.m., and Aug. 27 at Herbert Von King Park from 4 to 7p.m. Both performances are FREE. August in August actually began Aug. 13 with the first installation of the series 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom performed at Fulton Park in Brooklyn, produced by the Bed-Stuy Theatre Group.

Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn Gets A Theater in the Park for the Summer
by BWW News Desk - Aug 26, 2016


August in August' is a brand new annual live performance series teaming Joseph Grant Jr., ambassador of arts and culture for the councilman and theatrical producer Andrea J. Fulton of the Anderson & Bert Cade Fulton Foundation. Joint efforts result in the mounting of August Wilson's Tony nominated Two Trains Running directed by Sabura Rashid as its upcoming offering starting August 26th 2016. The production of 'Two Trains Running' will be featured at Fulton Park in Brooklyn on Aug. 26 from 6 to 9 p.m., and Aug. 27 at Herbert Von King Park from 4 to 7p.m. Both performances are FREE. August in August actually began Aug. 13 with the first installation of the series 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom performed at Fulton Park in Brooklyn, produced by the Bed-Stuy Theatre Group.

Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn Gets A Theater in the Park for the Summer
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 19, 2016


August in August' is a brand new annual live performance series teaming Joseph Grant Jr., ambassador of arts and culture for the councilman and theatrical producer Andrea J. Fulton of the Anderson & Bert Cade Fulton Foundation. Joint efforts result in the mounting of August Wilson's Tony nominated Two Trains Running directed by Sabura Rashid as its upcoming offering starting August 26th 2016. The production of 'Two Trains Running' will be featured at Fulton Park in Brooklyn on Aug. 26 from 6 to 9 p.m., and Aug. 27 at Herbert Von King Park from 4 to 7p.m. Both performances are FREE. August in August actually began Aug. 13 with the first installation of the series 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom performed at Fulton Park in Brooklyn, produced by the Bed-Stuy Theatre Group.

Lillias White to Star in MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM, Directed by Phylicia Rashad in Los Angeles
by BWW News Desk - Jul 21, 2016


Center Theatre Group has announced the casting for August Wilson's 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom' which begins previews August 31, opens September 11 and continues through October 16, 2016, at the Mark Taper Forum.

'LADY DAY' & PECONG Set for Bayou Theatre Company's Third Season
by Tyler Peterson - Jun 21, 2016


The Bayou Theatre Company returns with its third season entitled 'The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly: Exploring the Complexities of Womanhood'. With a season focused on female-centered stories, the season will open with Lanie Robertson's riveting one woman play with music LADY DAY AT THE EMERSON'S BAR AND GRILL, followed by PECONG by Steve Carter, a resetting of the myth of Medea.

Roy Williams' SOUL Sets Cast, Creative Team & Choirs
by Tyler Peterson - Apr 18, 2016


This summer, Royal & Derngate Northampton and Hackney Empire will co-produce the world premiere of Soul, a new play by Roy Williams about the family life of soul legend Marvin Gaye. Directed by James Dacre and designed by Jon Bausor, Soul takes to Northampton's Royal stage from Friday 20 May to Saturday 11 June, before its run at Hackney Empire from Wednesday 15 June to Sunday 3 July.

Amy Herzog & Sarah Ruhl World Premieres, ASSASSINS and More Set for Yale Rep's 50th Anniversary Season
by Tyler Peterson - Mar 11, 2016


YALE REPERTORY THEATRE announces its 50th Anniversary Season, which will include three world premieres commissioned by Yale Rep and two contemporary masterpieces.

August Wilson's American Century Cycle, a Play-By-Play Review
by Michael Dale - Sep 23, 2015


A quick review of the 10 plays Denzel Washington will be producing for HBO.

Goodman Theatre Announces March-April 2015 Lineup for Citywide August Wilson Celebration
by BWW News Desk - Dec 17, 2014


Goodman Theatre, in collaboration with Chicago's various off-Loop theaters and Northwestern University, unveils partial programming in its spring 2015 citywide "August Wilson Celebration" -- an extensive retrospective of the late playwright's life, artistry and influence on American culture. The seven-week Celebration takes place in March and April 2015 on dual landmark occasions: the 70th anniversary of the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright's birth and the 10th anniversary of his death.

Tony-Winning Producer Robert Cole to Receive Commercial Theater Institute's 2015 Robert Whitehead Award
by Tyler Peterson - Dec 16, 2014


Tony award-winning Broadway producer, Robert Cole, will be presented The Commercial Theater Institute's Robert Whitehead Award for 'outstanding achievement in commercial theatre producing' at a reception at Sardi's on Tuesday, March 10, 2015.

August Wilson's JITNEY Begins Run at Multi Ethnic Theater Today
by BWW News Desk - Aug 7, 2014


Multi Ethnic Theater, in association with Custom Made Theatre, presents August Wilson's Jitney, beginning today, August 7, and continues through August 31, at Gough Street Playhouse, 1620 Gough Street in San Francisco. Jitney is directed by Lewis Campbell, founder and artistic director of Multi Ethnic Theater. The play concerns a group of working class men who offer gypsy cab rides to and from African American communities where city cabs refuse to go.

Multi Ethnic Theater to Present August Wilson's JITNEY, 8/7-31
by Tyler Peterson - Jul 14, 2014


Multi Ethnic Theater, in association with Custom Made Theatre, will present August Wilson's Jitney, August 7-31, at Gough Street Playhouse, 1620 Gough Street in San Francisco. Jitney is directed by Lewis Campbell, founder and artistic director of Multi Ethnic Theater. The play concerns a group of working class men who offer gypsy cab rides to and from African American communities where city cabs refuse to go.

American Stage Adds 2/23 Performance of 2 TRAINS RUNNING
by BWW News Desk - Feb 10, 2014


American Stage Theatre Company is excited to announce an added performance for August Wilson's 2 TRAINS RUNNING. Due to many shows selling out, American Stage has added one last performance on Sunday, February 23 at 8 pm. This production is their seventh installment of their August Wilson Century Cycle.

American Stage Presents August Wilson's 2 TRAINS RUNNING, Now thru 2/23
by BWW News Desk - Jan 22, 2014


American Stage Theatre Company kicks off the new year with August Wilson's 2 TRAINS RUNNING. They are excited to present their seventh installment of their August Wilson Century Cycle. Previews are tonight, January 22 and 23. Opening Night is January 24 and the production runs through February 23, 2014.

Whoopi Goldberg Will Host Drama League Gala Honoring Neil Patrick Harris, 2/3
by Tyler Peterson - Jan 10, 2014


Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award winner, Whoopi Goldberg has been tapped by The Drama League to host the 30th Annual Musical Celebration of Broadway honoring Golden Globe Nominee and Emmy Award winner Neil Patrick Harris on Monday evening, February 3, 2014 at the famed Pierre Hotel (2 East 61st Street). Tickets are available by calling (212) 244-9494.

August Wilson's 2 TRAINS RUNNING to Begin 1/22 at American Stage
by BWW News Desk - Jan 7, 2014


American Stage Theatre Company kicks off the new year with August Wilson's 2 TRAINS RUNNING. They are excited to present their seventh installment of their August Wilson Century Cycle. Previews are January 22 and 23. Opening Night is January 24 and the production runs through February 23, 2014.

American Stage to Present August Wilson's 2 TRAINS RUNNING, 1/22-2/23
by BWW News Desk - Dec 21, 2013


American Stage Theatre Company kicks off the new year with August Wilson's 2 TRAINS RUNNING. They are excited to present their seventh installment of their August Wilson Century Cycle. Previews are January 22 and 23. Opening Night is January 24 and the production runs through February 23, 2014.

Broadway Publicity Firm THE HARTMAN GROUP to Shut Down January 2014
by Robert Diamond - Dec 2, 2013


After beginning his career in 1993, longtime theatrical press agent MICHAEL HARTMAN, founder and CEO of one of the largest and most successful theatrical publicity firms in New York, will say goodbye to Broadway and close THE HARTMAN GROUP on Sunday, January 5, 2014, remaining fully operational until then.

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 Tony Awards has Ma Rainey's Black Bottom been nominated for?
Best Play , , .
What awards has Ma Rainey's Black Bottom been nominated for?
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom has been nominated for several awards. It was nominated for Best Play at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards and for Outstanding Play at the Drama Desk Awards for August Wilson.
What awards has Ma Rainey's Black Bottom won?
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom has won several awards, including Best Play at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards and Outstanding Play at the Drama Desk Awards for August Wilson.

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