Video: Scenes From MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM at Goodman Theatre

Goodman Theatre has released footage of scenes from MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM, August Wilson's landmark drama now playing through May 3, 2026 at the Albert Theatre, extended by popular demand.

Directed by Chuck Smith with associate director and music director Harry J. Lennix, the production is set in 1927 Chicago, where "The Mother of the Blues" takes her time getting ready to record as tensions and temperatures rise among the musicians waiting for her. The Chicago Sun-Times called it "a remarkable staging of August Wilson's classic," while the Chicago Tribune declared Al'Jaleel McGhee's performance "Tony-worthy" and "far and away the best of the year." Splash Magazines called it a production that "excels on every level" and "the strongest production I've reviewed this year."

E. Faye Butler leads the cast as Ma Rainey, with Al'Jaleel McGhee as Levee, David Alan Anderson as Cutler, Kelvin Roston Jr. as Toledo, Cedric Young as Slow Drag, Jabari Khaliq as Sylvester, Tiffany Renee Johnson as Dussie Mae, Matt DeCaro as Sturdyvant, Marc Grapey as Irvin, and Scott Aiello as the Policeman.

The creative team includes Linda Buchanan (set design), Evelyn M. Danner (costumes), Jared Gooding (lighting), and Rob Milburn and Michael Bodeen (co-sound designers).