August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
Leggett Theatre at William Peace University 15 E. Peace Street Main Buikding, Raleigh“Mother of the Blues,” Ma Rainey was known for her deep-throated voice and mesmerizing stage presence that drew packed audiences and sold hit records in the early twentieth century. Also a songwriter, her lyrics and melodies reflected her experiences as an independent, openly bisexual African- American woman. Tony Award-nominated for Best Play in 1985 Ma Rainey's Black Bottom is set in a recording studio in 1920s Chicago, dealing with issues of race, art, religion, and the historic exploitation of Black recording artists by white producers.