August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

Asolo Repertory Theatre presents Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, a powerful drama by acclaimed playwright August Wilson. Directed by Chuck Smith, the play transports audiences to a Chicago recording studio in 1927. The narrative centers on Ma Rainey, the legendary "Mother of the Blues," as she and her band gather for a tense recording session. As the musicians wait for their star, racial tensions and power dynamics flare between the artists and their white management. Visitors will experience a gripping theatrical performance exploring the exploitation of Black recording artists and the profound struggles underlying the creation of classic American music.