Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (Masterplots II: Drama, Revised Edition)
At a glance:
- Author: August Wilson
- First Published: 1985
- Type of Plot: Psychological
- Time of Work: March, 1927
- Setting: A recording studio in Chicago
- Principal Characters: Sturdyvant, Irvin, Cutler, Toledo, Slow Drag, Levee, Ma Rainey, Dussie Mae
- 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 Play
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is set in late 1920’s Chicago; the action originates in the bandroom and studio of a record company. Gertrude (Ma) Rainey is due to arrive momentarily to cut new sides of 78 RPM favorites which she has previously recorded; her recordings are released by the company’s “race” division. Waiting for her are four black musicians, the white owner of the record company, and her white manager. The bandroom where the musicians are waiting is dingy and cluttered. There are a piano, a few chairs, boxes of paraphernalia, and a few old...
[The entire page is 2852 words long]
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