American Stage Continues Season With MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM 1/18-2/13

American Stage Theatre Company continues its 2010-11 season in the Raymond James Theatre with its next chapter in preeminent African-American playwright August Wilson's Century Cycle, Ma Rainey'S BLACK BOTTOM, running Jan. 18 thru Feb. 13.

It's Chicago, 1927, and a group of black musicians gather in a rundown recording studio to make one of the earliest blues recordings. While the white agent and studio boss wait angrily for blues star Ma Rainey to show up, the four musicians in her band practice, bicker, tell stories and dream. In his first play, August Wilson issues an unforgettable challenge to America. Mature subject matter and language.

"American Stage is the only theatre of its size embarking on producing all ten plays in Wilson's Century Cycle over the next decade," said Todd Olson, producing artistic director. "We look forward to bringing Wilson's first play, Ma Rainey'S BLACK BOTTOM, to our stage to kick off the new year."

Ma Rainey'S BLACK BOTTOM stars American Stage veterans ShaRon Scott (KING HEDLEY II), Brandii (KING HEDLEY II), Joe Parra (SLEUTH), Kim Sullivan (FENCES), Ron Bobb-Semple (FENCES) and Alan Bomar Jones (FENCES) as well as newcomers Ben Cain, Gregory Parker and Bill Karnovsky.

Tickets prices are $29-$50 depending on date and time of performance. Students Rush tickets are $10, 30 minutes prior to curtain. Please call the American Stage Box Office at (727) 823-PLAY (7529) or go to www.americanstage.org for more information and to purchase tickets.

American Stage Theatre Company is located at the Raymond James Theatre, 163 3rd Street North in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg, Florida. American Stage Theatre Company is a not-for-profit professional theatre founded in 1977. The company's mission is to create the most satisfying live theatre in the Tampa Bay area, accessible to all members of the community. Their vision is to preserve the greatest human stories from our past, while creating the most defining stories and storytelling of our time. American Stage presents its six play Mainstage Series in its brand new, 182-seat Raymond James Theatre each year. The theatre's other programming includes: American Stage in the Park, "After Hours" Series, Susan R. Hough Cabaret Series, School Tour and camps and classes for children and adults. The Hough Family Foundation is the Season Sponsor, Raymond James is the Mainstage Sponsor, Bank of America is the Education Partner, WEDU is the Media Sponsor and WUSF 89.7 is the Radio Sponsor of American Stage. This production is sponsored by Alfred T. May, and co-sponsored by the Law Offices of Diane Bailey Morton.

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