ma rainey's black bottom 

Ma Rainey’s band is waiting. It’s Chicago, 1927, and “The Mother of the Blues” takes her time before stepping onto the recording studio stage. As the hours pass, tensions rise and tempers flare, with the musicians trading stories of rage, joy, betrayal, and faith—until everything erupts in a gripping, heart‑stopping climax.  

Please join the Princeton Club of Chicago for this major revival of “a genuine American masterpiece”.  Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is a 1982 play by August Wilson and part of the ten-play Century Cycle by the playwright, chronicling the 20^th century African-American experience.  The play premiered on Broadway, winning the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award and earning a Tony nomination for Best Play.  The 2020 film adaptation, won Oscars for Best Costume Design and Best Makeup & Hairstyling and nominations for Best Actor (Chadwick Boseman), Best Actress (Viola Davis) and Best Production Design.