Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

Continuing its long-term commitment to the work of August Wilson, A Noise Within will present Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, the seventh of the 10 plays in Wilson's landmark American Century Cycle to be produced by the company.

BroadwayWorld is saddened to report that Aleta Mitchell, who appeared in the original Broadway cast of Ma Rainey's Black Bottom by August Wilson, passed away on April 14, 2026. She was 74 years old.

Arts Centric is taking their turn at bat with a presentation of Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom now playing through April 27th, 2025. Read our full review of the production here!

Don't miss the riveting production of August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom at The Ritz Theatre Company. Explore themes of rage, racism, self-hatred, and exploitation in this powerful drama.

The Guthrie Theater, in association with The Foxboro Company, today announced that Destiny of Desire will complete its 2021–2022 Season. Prior to an anticipated 2022 Broadway run produced by The Foxboro Company, the Guthrie is pleased to produce Destiny of Desire for its audiences.

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.

Viola Davis and the late Chadwick Boseman were also honored with nominations for their roles in the film adaptation of August Wilson's 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom'; the whole ensemble cast was also nominated in the aforementioned cast category.

Today (February 15) in live streaming: Laura Osnes sings with Seth Rudetsky, Josh Groban in concert, and more!

The Critics Choice Association (CCA) announced today the film nominees for the 26th annual Critics Choice Awards.  The winners will be revealed LIVE on The CW on Sunday, March 7, 2021 from 7-10pm ET/PT, with acclaimed film, television, and stage star Taye Diggs returning to host for his third consecutive time. 

The upcoming guest lineup has been announced for the “Live at The Lortel” virtual conversation series. In February, fans can listen to conversations with actress Krysta Rodriguez (February 1), drag artist and political activist Marti Cummings (February 8), actor Michael Potts (February 15), playwright Lynn Nottage (February 22).

The screen adaptation of Ma Rainey's Black Bottom was brought to life by the legendary Ruben Santiago-Hudson, whose connection to August Wilson spans from the personal to professional - not only was he a close friend of the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, but Santiago-Hudson has established himself as a key interpreter of Wilson's work.

Chadwick Boseman will be submitted to awards shows posthumously as a leading actor for his role in 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom,' the upcoming film adaptation of August Wilson's Pulitzer Prize-winning play.

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.

This season, Two River continues its commitment to produce all 10 plays of August Wilson's American Century Cycle with Brandon Dirden's production of 'Radio Golf,' the sixth play in the Cycle produced at the theater. Broadwayworld.com had the pleasure of interviewing Carl Hendrick Louis who plays Harmond Wilks in the show.

Emotive Fruition (Artistic Director, Thomas Dooley) has announced a live poetry event, LET LIGHTNING SET US ON FIRE, a one-night-only staged reading celebrating Valentine's Day with dramatic poems of modern love.

A Soldier's Play officially opened on Broadway on January 21 for a limited engagement at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway (227 West 42nd Street).

A Soldier's Play is officially in previews on Broadway! A Soldier's Play opens officially on January 21, 2020. This is a limited engagement at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway (227 West 42nd Street). It stars David Alan Grier, Blair Underwood, Nnamdi Asomugha, Jerry O'Connell, McKinley Belcher III, Rob Demery, Jared Grimes, Billy Eugene Jones, Nate Mann, Warner Miller, J. Alphonse Nicholson and Lee Aaron Rosen.

Multi Ethnic Theater (MET) will present August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, August 7 - September 1, at The Costume Shop 1117 Market Street, San Francisco, just a few steps from the Civic Center BART station.  The play is directed by Lewis Campbell, with Susie Butler as Ma Rainey.

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

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.

LUMBERYARD today announces the September 1 grand opening of its $8.2 million, state-of-the-art center for performing arts and film in Catskill, NY, and the fall season programming that will inaugurate the new facility. LUMBERYARD's heralded Hudson Valley campus will make transformative contributions both to the cultural landscape and economic health of the region and to the field of contemporary performance in New York City and the U.S. by bringing a wide range of renowned and emerging artists to Catskill for out-of-town premieres, often incubated through LUMBERYARD's signature technical residencies.

Free For All, one of the capital's cherished annual traditions, will return this summer to Shakespeare Theatre Company (STC), offering two weeks of free performances of the Company's 2016 production of Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet. Directed by STC Associate Artistic Director Alan Paul, whose hit production of Camelot has extended through July 8 due to popular demand, the production will run at Sidney Harman Hall (610 F St NW) from August 21-September 2, providing more than 12,000 people the chance to see the play free of charge.

There is no other company in Houston that is better equipped to handle his material, and this production cements that with ease. It is presented with a casual decadence that perfectly captures the world of the black American musician during this time.

Round House Theatre continues its 2017-2018 Season with Athol Fugard's "Master Harold"… and the Boys, directed by Artistic Director Ryan Rilette. "Master Harold"… and the Boys runs from April 11 - May 6, 2018. Press night is Monday, April 16, 2018. Please see below for complete program details and ticket information. 

Building on the Blaine County School District's mission of inspiring, engaging, educating and empowering every student, Company of Fools announces the 21st year of Stages of Wonder-an in-school dramatic arts program that has served as the theatre curriculum in local elementary schools since 1997.