*At the backdrop of another August Wilson tale are the hard times, and muted sociological dysfunctions of black men and women of color trying to find their place in a white man’s world.
But in the intimate settings of “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” by August Wilson it is 1927 and a group of saucy musicians gather in anticipation of recording with the notorious Ma’ Rainey (played by Lilias White).
This woman’s commanding presence has her band, manager (Ed Swidey) and record label owner (Matthew Henerson) shaking in their boots.
Of course this is no ordinary band and entourage either. Director Phylicia Rashad has collected a distinguished set of actors that include Greg Bryan, Keith David, Jason Dirden, Damon Gupton, Nija Okoro, Lamar Richardson, and Glynn Turman.
Glynn Turman killed it as the philosophical and reflective Toledo, and Jason Dirden’s portrayal of Levee was tempting in that it prompts a second look at the Playbill during the show to see just who this actor really is. He owned it! The rest of the cast was also stellar.
Together they weave a charismatic web of words and emotions that ebb and flow from hilariously funny to painfully sorrowful. The audiences’ laughter sails and is then hushed in silence as they are captivated by another moment that occurs when August Wilson’s words are guided by Phylicia Rashad’s directorial vision; and that makes for another magical night at the theatre.
August Wilson’s “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” continues through October 16, 2016, at the Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum. “Ma Rainey…” is part of Wilson’s American Century Cycle of 10 plays chronicling African American experience in 20th Century USA.
For tickets and information, please visit CenterTheatreGroup.org or call (213) 628-2772. Contact: [email protected] / 213-972-7376. Photo by Craig Schwartz.
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