Overview

Synopsis

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom takes place in a Chicago recording studio where Ma Rainey’s band members, Cutler, Toledo, Slow Drag and Levee, wait for her to show up to record their new album. As they wait, the band players banter and tell stories and jokes, but it soon becomes clear that there is an underlying tension between the impulsive young trumpet player, Levee, and the veteran players, Cutler and Toledo. Finally, Ma Rainey shows up with her lover, Dussie Mae, and her nephew, Sylvester, but the recording session is very behind, much to the dismay of her white producers. As tempers rise in the room, the situation between Levee and Cutler continues to heat, driving them to violence. When Levee is fired, he reaches his breaking point and stabs Toledo, killing him, and destroying both of their dreams for the future.

Show Information

Book
August Wilson
Category
Play
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
1984
Genres
Drama
Settings
Unit/Single Set
Time & Place
march in chicago, 1927
Cast Size
medium
Licensor
Concord Theatricals
Ideal For
College/University, Community Theatre, Diverse Cast, Ensemble Cast, Mostly Male Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Small Cast, Star Vehicle Female, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Young Adult Characters, Medium Cast

Context


Plot


Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Cutler

Lead

Male

Spoken

Toledo

Lead

Male

Spoken

Slow Drag

Lead

Male

Spoken

Levee

Lead

Male

Spoken

Ma Rainey

Lead

Female

Spoken

Mel Sturdyvant

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Irvin

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Dussie Mae

Supporting

Female

Spoken

Sylvester Brown

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Policeman

Featured

Male

Spoken

Songs

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A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

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Scenes

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Key Terms

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Videos

Quizzes

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

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Quote Analysis

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Guide Written By:

Nemuna Ceesay

Nemuna Ceesay