Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom at Actors Theatre Jan. 18 - Feb. 13
Coming in January, Louisville’s Actors Theatre will put on an exciting performance of Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, an intense drama about a legendary real-life blues singer that encounters prejudice, cultural divides and career disappointments. Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is a snapshot of the struggles of African Americans in the 20th century. Set in a Chicago recording studio in the 1920s, the play explores the interplay of race, art and religion and how black recording artists were exploited and mistreated by white producers
The drama is based on the real life of Ma Rainey -- “mother of the blues” – who was one of the earliest known professional blues singers and recording artists. Born in 1886 in Columbus, Georgia, one of Rainey’s most popular songs was the “Black Bottom” blues recorded in 1927, from which the play gets its name.
The play was written by August Wilson, a Pulitzer Prize-winning American playwright, and directed by Ron OJ Parson. The show is not recommend for kids younger than 12, as it contains strong language.
The play is accompanied by the 17th annual African American Art Exhibition at Actors Theatre, celebrating the rich history and vibrant culture of the African-American community through the arts. This has become an important tradition among arts and theater patrons in Louisville for almost two decades. The exhibit will include more than 20 African-American visual artists and is expected to attract upwards of 20,000 visitors. There will be an opportunity to meet the artists at a special reception on Friday, February 4.
Tickets for the performance begin at $25 and are available at the box office. Tickets for the exhibit and details for the February 4 event have not yet been released, so check the website for more details.
Posted by Jenn McGuire
