Ma Rainey's Black Bottom October 2, 2009

In a seedy recording studio in Chicago, 1927, a group of veteran blues players backing the legendary "Mother of the Blues" Gertrude "Ma" Rainey tune up, joke and jive as they await her arrival for a session. Among them is a wildly ambitious trumpet player who aspires to change the blues and the world with his brand of music, clashing with the band and the grand lady herself. The late, great August Wilson's colorfully entertaining and explosive study of racism, rage and the struggle for personal dignity and freedom of expression launched his epic ten-play cycle chronicling the 20th century African-American experience.