The Greene Space

1920: Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom | Directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson

Friday, April 24, 2015

(Matthew Septimus)

  • August Wilson's American Century Cycle

    In 2013, nearly 100 theater artists convened at The Greene Space at WNYC to record all 10 plays in August Wilson’s magnum opus. Now you can hear the full audio recordings of the dramatic readings.

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Ma Rainey's Black Bottom is set in 1927. Legendary blues singer Ma Rainey and her band players convene in a Chicago studio to record a new album. As their conversation unfolds, their bantering, storytelling and arguing raise questions of race, art and the historic exploitation of black recording artists by white producers.

AUDIO NO LONGER AVAILABLE

CAST LIST

STURDYVANT..........George Morfogen

IRVIN..........................Tuck Milligan

CUTLER......................Charles Weldon

TOLEDO......................Clarke Peters

SLOW DRAG...............Harvy Blanks

LEVEE..........................Larry Gilliard

MA RAINEY..................Ebony Jo-Ann

DUSSIE MAE.................Joniece Abbott-Pratt

POLICEMAN...................Lucas Caleb Rooney 

SYLVESTER....................Jonathan Majors

With original music by Grammy-nominated composer Bill Sims, Jr. 

Watch a video excerpt: 

View slideshow:

Matthew Septimus
The Cast of 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom'

The actors, directors, executive producer and musicians behind the production.

Matthew Septimus
Inside the Control Room

The Greene Space production team meeting before showtime.

Matthew Septimus
The Composer

The production featured original music by Bill Sims, Jr.

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The Backdrop

Putting finishing touches on the stage, designed by Hollis King.

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The Director

Ruben Santiago-Hudson directed the performance. He also serves as the series Artistic Director.

 

Matthew Septimus
Ma Rainey

Ebony Jo-Ann, understudy for both the Broadway debut and its revival, starred as Ma Rainey.

Matthew Septimus
Backstage

Joniece Abbot-Pratt, who played Dussie Mae, before the show.

Matthew Septimus
Going Over Lines

Charles Weldon, prepping before his performance as Cutler.

Matthew Septimus

Larry Gilliard, Jr., who played Levee, in the green room.

Matthew Septimus

Tuck Milligan performed in the role of Irvin.

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Jonathan Majors, going over pages for the role of Sylvester.

Matthew Septimus
The Video Team
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In the Green Room

The cast backstage.

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The Executive Producer

"It has been a journey of years to arrive at this night," Executive Producer Indira Etwaroo told the audience before the show. 

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The Reading

The cast takes the stage.

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Matthew Septimus

Larry Gilliard, Jr. as Levee

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Charles Weldon as Cutler

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Harvy Blanks (left) as Slow Drag, and Clarke Peters as Toledo

Matthew Septimus

Joniece Abbot-Pratt as Dussie Mae

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Ebony Jo-Ann as Ma Rainey

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Tuck Milligan as Irvin

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The Music

Musicians Clark Gayton, Kenny Rampton and Booker King

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George Morfogen as Sturdyvant

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Lucas Caleb Rooney as the policeman

Matthew Septimus

Jonathan Majors as Sylvester

Matthew Septimus

Ebony Jo-Ann as Ma Rainey

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