Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (Magill’s Choice: American Ethnic Writers)
At a glance:
- Author: August Wilson
- First Published: 1985
- Genres: Social realism, Drama, Psychological drama
- Subjects: African Americans, Discrimination, Power, personal or social, 1920’s, Chicago, Singing or singers, Jazz music, Fame, Ambition, Success or failure
- Locales: Chicago, IL
The Work
Set in 1927 in a Chicago recording studio, August Wilson’s play, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, explores the values and attitudes toward life and music of the classic blues singer, Ma Rainey. Their economic exploitation as African American musicians in a white-controlled recording industry, as well as their inferior social status in the majority white culture, become evident in the play’s dialogue and action. As Ma Rainey puts it: “If you colored and can make them some money, then you all right with them. Otherwise, you just a dog in the alley.”
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