Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Critical Overview

Reviews of Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom were mixed when it debuted in 1984. Writing for Women’s Wear Daily, Howard Kissel notes the freshness of the dialogue and says the cast is ‘‘excellent.’’ New York Times reviewer, Frank Rich, notes that Wilson is a find for American theater and lauds the production by the Yale Repertory Theater. Those finding fault with the play include the New York Post’s John Simon, who complained about the play’s weak structure, saying that as a play it is only ‘‘intermittently...

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